“H’m,” Sammie grunted, as he went on with his luncheon, and nothing more was said then about the artist.

Lois found Margaret at home and they had luncheon together.  There was only one topic of conversation, and Lois told of the information she had received from Andy and Betty Bean.

“Have you any idea what your father wishes to see me about?” she asked.  “I am quite curious to know.”

“I really don’t know,” and Margaret shook her head.  “He generally tells me his secret plans because he knows that I will not divulge them.”

“You will go with me to his office this afternoon, will you not?”

“Certainly, if you care to have me.  Father generally gets his luncheon out and is somewhat late getting back to his office.  Wait a minute, dear, while I phone and tell him you are here.”

Margaret was gone only a few minutes, and when she returned she resumed her seat at the table.

“Father will be back in his office at one-thirty,” she began, “and he says that I may go with you.  Lois, I have something important to tell you.”  Here she dropped her voice and looked apprehensively around the room.  “Since you told me about that letter and Betty’s fright I have been doing some serious thinking.  You say that Sydney Bramshaw has left Creekdale?”

“Yes.  He cleared out, tent and baggage.”

“Have you any idea where he is?”

“No.  But I am afraid he is far away by this time.”

“Well, he isn’t.  He’s in the city now.”

“In the city!” Lois repeated in surprise.

“Yes.  I met Sammie Dingle on the street this morning, and he told me that he met Bramshaw coming out of the C. P. R. ticket office.”

“Oh!”

“Yes, that’s what he told me.  I did not think anything about it at the time, but I see things in a different light now.  He must be planning to leave the city on the evening train, and if he once gets across the Border it will be difficult to find him.  You should tell father all you know, and I am sure he will take action at once.”

“And will he have Bramshaw arrested?” Lois asked.

“What else will there be to do?  It would not do to let him escape with such evidence against him.  It will be necessary for him to explain about that letter and his suspicious actions and threat to Betty.  We have really no time to lose.  My, I am getting interested and excited.”

“For my part,” Lois replied, “I believe he is the guilty man.  But I cannot understand the motive of his crime.  If we knew that it might lead to greater discoveries.  You see, in reference to that envelope it will be merely one man’s word against another.  Andy will swear that he saw him pick up an envelope which Mr. Randall dropped on the floor, but he cannot swear that it is the same one that was found by the side of the murdered man.  Bramshaw will also swear that he never met Betty that night on the road.  His lawyer will not overlook anything, mark my word.  It will be only circumstantial evidence after all, and it may not have much effect.”