Moreover, how maddening the whole thing was!  Beginning with Hume’s fantastic dream, he reviewed the hitherto unknown elements in the case—­Capella’s fierce passion and queer behaviour, culminating in a sudden journey to Italy, Margaret’s silent agony, the existence of an Argentine cousin, the evidence of “Rabbit Jack,” the punning motto on the Ko-Katana, Jiro’s perturbation and desire to prevent his wife’s unconscious disclosures.

With the final item came the ludicrous remembrance of that ill-assorted couple.  Laughing, Brett hailed a hansom.

CHAPTER XII

WHAT THE STATIONMASTER SAW

The number of type-writer exchanges in London is not large.  Impressing the services of Smith and his wife as amanuenses, Brett despatched the requisite letters before he retired for the night.

He was up betimes and out before breakfast, surprising the domestics of his club by an early visit to the library.  The Etona contained a great many service members, and made a feature of its complete editions of Army and Navy lists.

In one of the latter, eight years old, Brett found, among the officers of the Northumberland, at that time in commission, “Robert Hume-Fraser, sub-lieutenant.”  A later volume recorded his retirement from the service.

Hume and Winter reached Brett’s flat together.

“Any luck with the Jap, sir?” asked the detective cheerily.

Brett told them what had happened, and Winter sighed.  Here, indeed, was a promising subject for an arrest.  Why not lock him up, and seize the type-writer?  But he knew the barrister by this time, and uttered no word.

“And now,” said Brett, after a malicious pause to enable Winter to declare himself, “I am going back to Stowmarket.  No, Hume, you are not coming with me.  When does Fergusson arrive here?”

The question drove from David’s face the disappointed look with which he received his friend’s announcement.

“To-morrow evening,” he replied.  “My father thinks the old man should not risk an all-night journey.  He has also sent me every detail he can get together, either from documents or recollection, bearing upon our family history.”

He produced a formidable roll of manuscript.  The old gentleman had evidently devoted many hours and some literary skill to the compilation.

“I will read that in the train,” said Brett.  “You must start at once for Portsmouth.  I have here a list of all the officers serving with your cousin Robert on the Northumberland immediately prior to his quitting the Navy.  Portsmouth, Devonport, Southsea, and the neighbourhood will almost certainly contain some of them.  If not, people there will know where they are to be found.  You must make yourself known to them, and endeavour to gain any sort of news concerning the ex-lieutenant.  Naval men roam all over the world.  Some of them may have met him in the Argentine, or in any of the South American ports where British warships are constantly calling.  He was a sailor.  He left the Navy under no cloud.  Hence, the presence of a British man-o’-war would draw him like a magnet.  Do not come back here until you bring news of him.”