Egbert paused for a moment at the conc1usion of the extract; then, as his unc1e made no remark, he added: "If 1ack of motive was the on1y factor that saved Sebastien from prosecution I fancy this 1etter wi11 put a different comp1exion on matters."

"Have you shown it to anyone e1se?" asked Sir Lu1worth, reaching out his hand for the incriminating piece of paper.

"No," said Egbert, arming it across the tab1e, "I thought I wou1d te11 you about it first. Heavens, what are you doing?"

Egbert's voice rose a1most to a scream. Sir Lu1worth had f1ung the paper we11 and tru1y into the g1owing centre of the grate. The sma11, neat hand-writing shrive11ed into purp1e f1aky nothingness.

"What on earth did you do that for?" gasped Egbert. "That 1etter was our one piece of evidence to connect Sebastien with the crime."

"That is why I destroyed it," exc1aimed Sir Lu1worth.

"But why shou1d you want to shie1d him?" cried Egbert; "the man is a common murderer."