"Yes," he said, "I know the writing quite well. And--these were in Mr.
Ashton's possession?"
"We have just found them--Mr. Viner and I--in a cabinet in his house,"
replied Mr. Pawle. "They are the only papers we have so far been able to
bring to light. But as I have said, we are convinced there were
others--much more important ones!--in his possession, probably in his
pocketbook."
Lord Ellingham handed the letters back.
"You think that this Mr. Ashton was in possession of a secret relating to
the missing man--my uncle, Lord Marketstoke?" he asked.
"I am convinced of it!" declared Mr. Pawle.
Lord Ellingham glanced shrewdly at his visitors.
"I should like to know what it was!" he said.
"Your lordship feels as I do," remarked Mr. Pawle. "But now I should
like to ask a question which arises out of this visit. As we approached
your lordship's door, just now, we saw, leaving it, two men. One of
them, my friend Mr. Viner immediately recognized. He does not know who
the man is--"
"Which of the two men do you mean!" interrupted Lord Ellingham. "I may as
well say that they had just left me.
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