‘Of course this is strictly confidential,’ he said.
The telegram ran as follows:—
Notes traced, known to have been in the packet forwarded by escort. Arrest Jones.
‘This gives a clue, of course, but,’ said the official with diplomatic reserve, ‘we may or may not follow it up. Possibly we may be thrown out; but eventually I venture to think Mr. Jones will be run into in the open.’
‘Arrest Jones,’ repeated Mr. Neuchamp. ‘And have you been able to secure him?’
‘I don’t know whether the police have got hold of him yet,’ said Mr. Merlin cautiously; ‘but I daresay we shall be able to give an account of him by and by. If not, he will be the first man who has got clear off since this goldfield was discovered.’
‘In the meantime you are going out to view the scene of the murder and the bodies of these poor fellows just as a matter of form and for your own satisfaction?’
‘Precisely so,’ assented Mr. Merlin; ‘principally as a matter of form.’
‘And Greffham is going with us just for company, like Bright, to make up the party, I suppose?’ continued Ernest. ‘It is very good-natured of him, for he told me yesterday that he had some important business to-day, and that he would not be about the town. But I have always found him most obliging.’
‘So have I, most obliging, as you say. The fact is, he knows the spot exactly where these poor fellows must have been met.’