"All, Mr. Thorold. I think, sir, it is worth fifty pounds."
"Humph! We'll see what the police say. You have no objection, I suppose, to come with me to Heathton and repeat this story?"
"Having a clear conscience," said Cicero, with a superior smile, "I can safely say that I have not. But the fifty, Mr. Thorold?"
"Will be paid after you have told Blair this story."
"If you are so poor," put in Mrs. Warrender, "where did you get money to buy that writing-paper? It was costly paper."
"It was," admitted Mr. Gramp with pride--"it was, Clara Maria. I always do things in style. If you remember, I got a prize at school for letter-writing."
"Where did you get the money?"
"From a nautical man called Joe Brill--a sovereign."
"A sovereign from Joe Brill?" cried Alan, starting. "Why?"
"Ah! you may ask," said Cicero. "In my opinion it was hush-money."