THE    VENNER    CRIME	191
you've heard me speak of before, has been working on
that very line. Nobody can embark for America unless
they have a passport, endorsed for the United States.
A visa from the American Consulate is also necessary
before they can disembark, at the passport office.
" Now, Jarrold's inquiries have established this.
Ernest Venner, of 7 Clewer Street, South Kensington,
was issued with a passport five years ago. It was
endorsed for all European countries, but it has never
been endorsed for America. Nor has anyone of that
name applied for a visa at the American Consulate. And
I think we can be quite sure that Venner didn't secure
a passport under a false name. That's a very much
more difficult thing than you might think. It requires
the collusion of a responsible person, for one thing."
Dr. Priestley glanced at the clock. He" was not anxious
to discuss the matter further with Hanslet until he had
had time to consider this new development. The Super-
intendent, who knew his ways, was quick to take the
hint. " I only just dropped in to give you my news,
Professor," he said. " I'll be getting along now/'
" Do you contemplate any further steps?" Dr_f
Priestley asked, as Hanslet left the room.
" Not until I've something more to go on. Christine
Venner is being watched, and if she tries to pass any of
these notes on my list, or to change a dollar bill, why,
then I've got her. Good-night, Professor."
Dr. Priestley smiled as the front door closed behind
the Superintendent. Haiislet's methods were always
direct and practical. But the smile rapidly changed into
a frown. To Dr. Priestley it seemed that the Venner
case was growing more incomprehensible than ever.
The most startling thing, though Hanslet, apparently,
did not regard it as such, was that Charles Alcott's
name should have cropped up. Dr. Priestley was pre-
pared to allow a very wide margin for coincidence. But