CHAPTER 3"This is the principal entrance, I suppose," Stoddart said, stopping before the lodge at Holford, and looking up the avenue of oaks that was one of the chief attractions of the Hall.
As he spoke a small two-seater pulled up beside them and two men sprang out. One of them Stoddart had no difficulty in recognizing as the local superintendent of police; the other, a tall, military-looking man, he rightly divined to be the Chief Constable, Major Logston.
The Major looked at the two detectives.
"Inspector Stoddart, I presume. I was hoping to catch you. I missed you at the station—had a break-down coming from home. This is a terrible affair, inspector."
"I have only seen the bare account in the papers," Stoddart said quietly. "Before we go any further I should very much like to hear
