MANY weeks after the interview between the Hon. Randolph Pym and Norah Lacey at Runnell Hall the town of Ministerfield was agitated by a strange rumour. It was winter weather now; snow lay heavily on the land, and the nights being bitterly cold the inns and other places of public resort where warmth and refreshment were obtainable were generally crowded. In these places the rumour was much discussed, for it was sensational enough. It was to the effect that the authorities had got a most important due in connection with the murder of Mr. Lacey; that the clue pointed very strongly to Jim Spedwick being the guilty person, and accordingly a warrant had been issued for his arrest.
That, baldly stated, was the rumour; but it was chopped and changed about, and added to, according to the fancy of
