"Yes, sir," said the valet, "and Mr. Vaud came here to find the police in possession; so he told me to stay here."
"Quite right," said Fanks. "I shall see Mr. Vaud myself."
Before leaving the chambers Fanks told Maxwell to keep a sharp lookout on Robert, of whom he had some suspicion. Then with Garth he went down slowly, talking and thinking. Garth had asked him what was to be done next, and he did not know what to say. Ultimately he declared that he would interview Vaud.
"Why?" asked Garth, after a pause.
"Because if I do not see him, he will see me. I must explain why I wish the police to continue in possession of the dead man's chambers; and also I want a letter of introduction to the new baronet."
"I can give you that; but I do not understand why you should wish to see him. He can do no good."
"I am not so sure of that," responded Fanks, dryly, "and in any case I must tell him what I am doing. As the heir he must be anxious to clear up the mystery of his cousin's death."
"I don't think he'll trouble much," replied Garth, doubtfully. "Gregory and Louis hated, one another like poison. They had not met for ten years."
"Why did they hate one another?"
"I don't know. Louis is a better man than Gregory. He was a scoundrel, as you have heard. An out-and-out scamp."