s it possible, I hastily asked
myself, that already the police were on the same track that I was
following? If so, Wildred must have shown himself a less impenetrable
villain than I had had reason to suppose him.

"Yes, I not only know who he is, but have a slight personal acquaintance
with him," I said conservatively.

"Well, sir"--slowly, and with some unction--"Mr. Wildred has been the
only one so far--not counting what you yourself may have to say
presently--who has given any information of value."

"Indeed? _He_ has given information?" I could not eliminate the
astonishment, and perhaps something of the disappointment, from my
voice.

"Yes, sir. As you know Mr. Wildred, you're probably aware that his
country house is close by our town, and close, too, to the spot where
the body was found. He was in yesterday evening, as soon as the matter
had got noised about, and asked to see the body."

"Incredible!" The word sprang to my lips, but I forced it back, and
refrained from uttering it.

"He was unable to identify it, but he spoke to having seen something in
the neighbourhood of the small backwater not far from his house, just
before Christmas, which seemed likely to throw light on the matter. The
surgeon's idea is, as I think I forgot to mention, sir, that the body
had been in the water since Christmas time, or thereabouts, which made
Mr. Wildred's supposition the more feasible.

"It seems that the gentleman had a friend staying with him at the House
by the Lock until a week or so ago--a Mr. Farnham, an American--who has
since sailed for home. They were in the habit of taking a daily walk
together, whenever they were not in town, and a week before Christmas
noticed that close to the little backwater two men were living in a
tent.

"It was a quiet place enough in winter time, and the fellows might have
expected to escape observation, perhaps, but it was the smell of their
smoke which first attracted Mr. Wildred and his friend to the spot, and
as it was his land Mr. Wildred at first was inclined to order the chaps
away. He thought better of it, though, as he seems a good-natured
gentleman, and said it didn't really matter to him whether they stayed
or went. A strict watch was kept on all the locks up at the house,
however, as it occurred to Mr. Wildred the men might have some queer
design. A day or two went by, and the tent was still there, but on
Christmas, when Mr. Wildred and Mr. Farnham were walking out, t