“I’m pretty sure it isn’t a washer, though that’s what one might have expected it to be. Now what on earth does one use a leather disc of that size for, unless it’s in connection with machinery. And the old Corinthian was a bit of an inventor—more than a dabbler in mechanics, if I’m on the right track. And yet from the look of the thing I’m almost certain it’s got no normal use in a machine. The twine through it proves that almost conclusively. Hold on, though! It might be a valve of sorts. That might be it. But why leave a valve-piece along with the document? That must be wrong.”
He thought over the matter without evolving anything which seemed to throw light on the problem. At last he took up a fresh line.
“Old Rollo suggested that it was a toy that the old Corinthian had made for his kiddie. But then, why leave it along with the document? That seems a silly sort of thing to do. And from the look of the leather, the thing had been used in some way. I don’t know much about leather; but the way that disc was warped. . . . It must have been wetted and allowed to dry, or something. That would crinkle it.”
Then a final flash of illumination lit up the whole problem in his mind. He laughed partly at himself and partly at the simplicity of the solution.
“Why, of course, it’s a kid’s toy. I’ve played with the same sort of thing myself. And that’s what he used it for. He was a bright old bird, right enough. No wonder we got no result with the Chess-board.”
He stepped into the Corinthian’s Room, drew aside the tapestry, and examined the panelling behind it. To the ordinary eye it showed nothing; but Westenhanger seemed satisfied with what he saw. He let the tapestry fall into place again.
“Now let’s see! Nothing doing to-day, that’s certain. I’ll have to wait till to-morrow before I can try it out. But I’m dead sure of it this time. It’s no wonder the Dangerfields never got near the thing. I’d never have been near it myself if it hadn’t been for that talk with Eileen. Pure luck. No credit to any of us.”
He turned away from the hanging and consulted his watch.
“Just time, if I take the car down. The Frogsholme cobbler first of all; and then a shop where I can get some long needles. That fits me out. And to-morrow I’ll give old Rollo the surprise of his life. The bottom will be out of the Dangerfield Secret! What a relief for the old man!”