In the Mayor's Parlour by J.S. Fletcher

But as the day of the adjourned inquest drew near Brent became aware that there were rumours in the air -- rumours of some sensational development, the particulars of which were either non-obtainable or utterly vague. He heard of them from Peppermore, whose journalistic itching for news had so far gone unrelieved; Peppermore himself knew no more than that rumour was busy, and secret.

"Can't make out for the life of me what it is, Mr. Brent! " said Peppermore, calling upon Brent at the _Chancellor_ on the eve of the inquiry. "But there's something, sir, something! You know that boy of mine -- young Pryder?"