“Thank you, Selkirk, now my good man, please sit down on the sofa and tell me about this gentleman here,” said Tompkins pointing at the name Mr. Steeple, “I know no one of this name and I wasn’t aware Mr. Dan knew anyone called this, so can you please describe him?”

        Selkirk declined the invitation to sit but smiled at Mr. Tompkins’s question.

        “Well, Mr. Tompkins, Mr. Steeple was someone I had never encountered before. He came with the Rev Green and was an English country gentleman by his countenance and manners. They took tea with Mr. Dan and Mr. Mills.”

        “Did Dan know this Mr. Steeple before he turned up with the Rev Green?”

        “I don’t believe he did given the introductions that went on when Mr. Steeple arrived at the house.”

        “Interesting, Selkirk, I wonder who this Mr. Steeple is and how he knows the Rev Green. Is he a member of the church?”

        “He wore no sign of following in that profession, Mr. Tompkins. I think the two gentlemen knew each other from university.”

        “I was up at the same time as Rev Green and I remember no one called Steeple in my circle of friends.”

        “Well, Mr. Tompkins I believe they have known each other for many years.”

        “I am sure you’re right, Selkirk, can you describe Mr. Steeple?”

        “He is about 6 feet tall, slim build, and ginger hair with a few freckles and quite a high-pitched laugh.”

        “Really? Sounds like old Bunny Stephens, who was at university with both myself and Rev Green, but why would he call himself Mr. Steeple unless he was trying to be undercover?”

        “I can’t help you there, Mr. Tompkins, anyway Mr. Mills seemed to know him.”