Mr. Jasher was a man who in his time had played many parts on the stage of the world. He loved money, and the ease and comfort which a judicious¹ expenditure² of money would procure³. But he was not sufficiently⁴ successful in making an income. Several ventures had turned out badly before he opened his private inquiry⁵-office, and hitherto that had not seemed likely to be a triumph. The work was hard and the pay not very good, and for some months Mr. Jasher had been contemplating⁶ the wisdom of giving up the business and starting as a theatrical⁷ manager. He was fond of the stage, and in the United States he had produced several dramas at a dead loss. But the English people being less clever than the Yankees, Jasher thought he would again venture on a theatrical agency.  
It was about this time that Professor Bocaros called to see him. A chance of making a great deal of money out of the simple scholar presented itself to Jasher, and he took up the matter himself. It was so difficult that the detective--for so he was in fact--did not think it wise to trust the elucidation⁸ of the mystery to meaner hands. He resolved to attend to it personally, and charge accordingly. The discovery that the money had passed to Calvert was not pleasing to Jasher, as he had now to deal with a man more shrewd and less inclined to pay largely. However, supported by Bocaros, Jasher called at the Bloomsbury lodgings¹⁰ of the actor, and ended, as has been seen, in getting the business of hunting down the assassin of Flora¹¹ Brand. It was not an easy mystery to unravel¹².
 
"But the first thing to be done," said Mr. Jasher to himself in the solitude¹³ of his office, "is to find out what sort of a cove⁹ Calvert is. If he's what I call a stinger, I'll have to go straight. If he ain't, I'll buckle¹⁴ to and do my best. But in any way I'll get all the money I can out of him."
 
In pursuance of this amiable¹⁵ resolve, Jasher sought out several theatrical folk whom he knew well. The report of Calvert was that he had a strong will, but was very good-natured. It was considered that he would never be an actor, and old-fashioned stagers believed that it was merely through his good looks and his fashionable clothes he obtained engagements. But Jasher knew the jealousy¹⁷ of those connected with the green-room, and determined¹⁸ to see Calvert act with his own eyes. According to the force and talent displayed by the young man, he might be able to estimate the depth of his character.
 
Having thus made up his mind, Jasher treated himself to a seat in the pit of the Frivolity¹⁹ Theatre. The audience was small as the play was not a great success. "It's a good thing he's got this fortune," was the agent's reflection, "as this piece won't run long; and being out of an engagement, he wouldn't have much chance of marrying that girl he's sweet on, according to old Bocaros."
 
The play was not a good one; the best scene being in the middle act, wherein a masked ball took place. Calvert was dressed as a Venetian, and looked remarkably²⁰ handsome in black velvet²¹ and gold. During the scene he had to draw his dagger²², and this drew Jasher's attention to the fact that he wore such a weapon. But he did not give the matter much thought. It was only when Arnold came on in the last act in a tweed suit with a reddish pointed²³ beard that he started. It occurred to him that he had heard from a friend in the police of how the young man met by Mulligan had been thus attired²⁴. A description of the young man, save in a vague way, had not been put into the papers. And probably Jasher, but that his mind was full of the murder, would not have noticed the dress and general appearance. As it was, the remembrance of the dagger and the fact of the tweed suit and pointed beard made him reflect. Also the fact that Arnold was engaged to the sister-in-law of the man to whom the villa²⁵ belonged made him lay unusual stress on the matter.
 
"Blest if I don't think he's got something to do with the matter, professor," he said to Bocaros that same evening.
 
The Greek, anxious to know how matters were proceeding²⁶, had made an appointment with Jasher at a Soho restaurant after the theatre, and was now at the supper-table looking more haggard and lean than ever with his blazing eyes and funereal²⁷ looks. Disappointed at being deprived of Mrs. Brand's fortune, Bocaros--as Laura surmised²⁸ rightly--was angry with Arnold for having obtained it. The remarks he had made in the young man's presence were mere¹⁶ fault-finding words, as he had no reason, on the face of it, to suspect him of being connected with the crime. Moreover, Arnold's ready acceptance of Jasher as an agent to search out the matter must have done away with all idea that he was guilty. No man would be such a fool as to put a bloodhound of the law on his own track, and when he had succeeded in gaining his end without danger. But when Jasher made the above remark Bocaros looked at him eagerly.
 
"That is my idea," he declared quickly. "I have no grounds to go upon. But Calvert is engaged to Miss Mason. In her brother-in-law's house Flora was killed, so he must know something."
 
"Oh, I don't see that," mused³⁰ Jasher; "you go too fast, professor. Of course those facts, and the fact that he gets a large income, may seem suspicious, but being engaged at the theatre every night puts his guilt²⁹ out of the question. But to learn all I can about Calvert, I have asked his understudy to come to supper." Jasher glanced at his watch. "He'll be here soon, and then we can talk."
 
"From your description," said Bocaros, who stuck to his point, "Calvert is the young man who spoke³¹ to Mulligan."
 
"I think that. He has the clothes and the beard described by the officer. But if he was the man, he would hardly be such a fool as to retain such a make-up."
 
"Yes, he would," persisted Bocaros; "safety often lies in danger. If Calvert had changed his make-up and a description had appeared in the papers, suspicion would have been excited."
 
"True; but no description appeared, or only a vague one."
 
"Calvert did not know that. He thought it best to keep to his make-up, trusting that people--who are generally stupid--would never connect his stage appearance with that of the man in real life. He is the man, I am sure, and he came out of the house."
 
"But it doesn't say he killed Mrs. Brand."
 
"He had ten thousand a year to gain by doing so."
 
"Quite right. But the woman was killed before nine, and during that hour Calvert was engaged at the theatre."
 
"That's true enough," said the professor gloomily, "all the same it seems queer. I believe he is guilty."
 
"Hush³²!" said Jasher, looking round uneasily; "don't talk so loud. You never know who may hear. Keep to generalities. Ah, here is Hart."
 
"The young man who came to the supper-table was a languid and fashionable youth, who, having run through his money, had gone on the stage to delight the public. As yet he had not made a success, and, judging from his looks, never would. Having got into trouble over some gambling³³ debt, he had enlisted³⁴ the services of Jasher. That astute³⁵ gentleman had managed to settle the affair, and Hart was consequently willing to be friendly. He sat down with a bored air, and declared that he was almost dead. He acknowledged his introduction to Bocaros with a slight and supercilious³⁶ nod.
 
"You work too hard," said Jasher, when Mr. Hart was engaged in eating.
 
"It's hard work hanging round the theatre waiting for a chance," said the other.
 
"You have got one," said the detective; "ain't you engaged at the Frivolity Theatre?"
 
"Only as Calvert's understudy," said the discontented youth. "I have to be at the theatre waiting for my chance should he fall ill. He's too clever to let me go on, and he can't act a bit. I could make a magnificent part of the one he spoils." And Hart began to explain the lines upon which he would--as he put it--create the part.
 
"Have you never had an opportunity of playing?" asked the professor, piling up little bits of bread in a listless manner.
 
"I had once," said Hart frankly³⁷, "but just my bad luck. I messed up the chance."
 
"Ah," said Jasher quickly, "how was that?"
 
"Well, don't you say anything," said Hart, glancing round, "as it would do me harm with the profession. Nobody will take much notice so long as it ain't talked about. It's only known in the theatre, and Calvert, who is a good-natured sort of chap, promised to hold his tongue."
 
"Oh," said Bocaros, meaningly, and looking up with eagerness, "he promised to hold his tongue, did he? About what?"
 
"My messing up my chance. You see Calvert didn't feel well one night, and I went on. I did act A1, and was scoring all round, when I got so excited that I fell ill. My heart ain't very strong," added the youth, "and that's why I can't take Turkish baths."
 
"Well, well," said Jasher, looking a very benevolent³⁸ stout³⁹ gentleman, and sipping^............