Mr. Cohen probably believed. He
therefore at that hour refused to accept Mr. John Ashley's 'promissory'
stakes any longer. A very few heated words ensued, quickly checked by
the management, who are ever on the alert to avoid the least suspicion
of scandal.

"In the meanwhile Mr. Hatherell, with great good sense, persuaded young
Ashley to leave the Club and all its temptations and go home; if
possible to bed.

"The friendship of the two young men, which was very well known in
society, consisted chiefly, it appears, in Walter Hatherell being the
willing companion and helpmeet of John Ashley in his mad and extravagant
pranks. But to-night the latter, apparently tardily sobered by his
terrible and heavy losses, allowed himself to be led away by his friend
from the scene of his disasters. It was then about twenty minutes to
two.

"Here the situation becomes interesting," continued the man in the
corner in his nervous way. "No wonder that the police interrogated at
least a dozen witnesses before they were quite satisfied that every
statement was conclusively proved.

"Walter Hatherell, after about ten minutes' absence, that is to say at
ten minutes to two, returned to the club room. In reply to several
inquiries, he said that he had parted with his friend at the corner of
New Bond Street, since he seemed anxious to be alone, and that Ashley
said he would take a turn down Piccadilly before going home--he thought
a walk would do him good.

"At two o'clock or thereabouts Mr. Aaron Cohen, satisfied with his
evening's work, gave up his position at the bank and, pocketing his
heavy winnings, started on his homeward walk, while Mr. Walter Hatherell
left the club half an hour later.

"At three o'clock precisely the cries of 'Murder' and the report of
fire-arms were heard in Park Square West, and Mr. Aaron Cohen was found
strangled outside the garden railings."

CHAPTER XXIX

THE MOTIVE

"Now at first sight the murder in the Regent's Park appeared both to
police and public as one of those silly, clumsy crimes, obviously the
work of a novice, and absolutely purposeless, seeing that it could but
inevitably lead its perpetrators, without any difficulty, to the
gallows.

"You see, a motive had been established. 'Seek him whom the crime
benefits,' say our French _confreres_. But there was something more than
that.

"Constable James Funnell, on his beat, turned from Portland Place into
Park Crescent a few minutes af