"That's the fact, Mr. Hetherwick," assented Matherfield. "These gentlemen, innocently enough, bought stolen property. But I've just told them something that I'll now tell you. We found the money—notes—on Baseverie, last night. Intact—in his pocket-book. Of course, with that, and the jewels which his accomplice succeeded in getting at Southampton, he'd got a nice haul. But now we can easily prove how he came by that ten thousand—and it'll go back to Messrs. Culthwaite and Houseover there. We can prove, too, from their evidence, that Baseverie poisoned Mr. Hannaford for the sake of that formula. Baseverie's done!"
"These gentlemen will recover their ten thousand pounds, then?" said Hetherwick. "In that case"—he turned to the two partners—"I don't see that you've anything to worry about?" he suggested. "The formula, of course, must be handed over to——"
"Well, now, that's just it, Mr. Hetherwick," interrupted the partner who until then had kept silent. "The fact is, sir, we don't want to lose that formula! We gave this man Baring or Baseverie ten thousand pounds for it, but——"
"But you really believe it to be worth more, eh?" said Hetherwick with a smile. "I see! Then in that case——"
"If we get back our ten thousand, sir, we shall be pleased to treat with the rightful owner," said Culthwaite, after an exchange of looks with his partner. "In the meantime, the formula is safe and secret with us. We are well-known people——"
"We'll leave it at that, just now," answered Hetherwick. "Miss Hannaford will trust you to keep your word about safety and secrecy. And later—business!" He got up, and Rhona rose with him. "Shall you want us to-day, Matherfield?" he asked. "If not——"
"No!" replied Matherfield. "Merely formal business to-day—then, this afternoon, he'll be brought up. Only evidence of arrest and application for adjournment. You can go away, Mr. Hetherwick—we'll let you both know when you're wanted."
Hetherwick led Rhona out, and once clear of the police precincts, smote his stick on the pavement.
"When we're through with this business I'm hanged if I ever dabble in crime affairs again, personally!" he exclaimed. "Baseverie has been a pretty vile example to tackle! And that you should be dragged into it, too!" he added, suddenly. "That upset me more than anything. However, it's getting to an end, and then——"
He paused, while she looked up at him with a little wonder at his vehemence. Then, and as they were at that moment walking along a quiet stretch of the less frequented side of the Embankment, she timidly laid a hand on his arm. He turned sharply, laying his hand on hers.