"Humph!" said Fanks again. "I wonder--but that is impossible."
"What is impossible?"
"Something that came into my head. What it is, does not matter. I shall no doubt prove its impossibility at Mere Hall."
"You suspect Sir Louis?"
"Such a suspicion did cross my mind. But, as Sir Louis is employing me to hunt down the murderer, he would hardly act in such a way. Never mind that at the present moment, Hersham, but tell me if you have written to your father?"
"About the tattooed cross? No, I have not done so yet. I don't see how my father can help you."
"I am of another opinion," said Fanks, dryly. "It is my firm conviction that the whole secret of that murder in Tooley Alley lies in the explanation of that tattooed cross. Do not look so scared, Hersham. I do not suspect your father."
"I should think not," said Hersham, fiercely.
Fanks laughed indulgently, in nowise offended with the indignant tone adopted by the young man. Indeed, he rather admired him for being so ready to take up the cudgels on behalf of his parent. Nevertheless, he stuck to his point, as he was determined to fathom the meaning of the tattooed cross, and he saw no one was so likely to help him to an interpretation as the Rev. George Hersham, Vicar of Fairview, Isle of Wight.
"You must do as I ask," he said, "and write to your father. I must know why he had that cross tattooed on your arm."