But to me
has fallen the task of relating how and where Paul Harley and I
met with Captain Vane and Molly Clayton.
At the end of the Inspector's account:
"H'm," said Harley, glancing under his thick brows in my
direction, "could you spare the time, Knox?"
"To go to Deepbrow?" I asked with interest.
"Yes; we have ten minutes to catch the train."
"I'll come," said I. "Sir Howard will be delighted to see you,
Harley."
II
THE CLUE OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS
"What do you make of it, Inspector?" asked my friend. Detective-
Inspector Wessex smiled, and scratched his chin.
"There was no need for me to come down!" he replied. "And
certainly no need for you, Mr. Harley!"
Harley bowed, smiling, at the implied compliment.
"It's a common or garden elopement!" continued the detective.
"Vane's reputation is absolutely rotten, and the girl was clearly
infatuated. He must have cared a good bit, too. He'll be
cashiered, as sure as a gun!"
Leaving Sir Howard at the Manor, we had joined Inspector Wessex
at a spot where the baronet's preserves bordered a narrow lane.
Here the ground was soft, and the detective drew Harley's
attention to a number of footprints by a stile.
"I've got evidence that he was seen here with the girl on other
occasions.
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