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Were they all fastened in the morning?" "Yes, sir, it's the truth they were," she admitted. "And what did Mr. Rattar do with the piece of mud?" "Just threw it out of the window." The sympathetic stranger crossed to the window and looked out. "Grass underneath, I see," he observed. "No footprints outside, I suppose?" "No, sir." "Did the police come down and make enquiries?"
"The body was found near the door as I was pointing out, but it's a funny thing that a small table had been upset apparently, and Bisset tells us that that table stood near the window." "Humph," grunted Simon sceptically. "I'm quite sure of it, Mr. Rattar," said Bisset confidently, looking round from his work of measurement. "No positive proof it was upset," said the lawyer.
A second or two passed before Simon answered, and then he said abruptly: "Sir Reginald was mistaken. No such conversation." "Do you mean to tell me literally that no such conversation took place? Was it a mere delusion?" "Er practically. Yes, a delusion." "Suicide!" declared Carrington with an air of profound conviction. "Yes, Mr. Rattar, that is evidently the solution.
"I'm not quite a fool!" And indeed, none of her friends or acquaintances had ever made that accusation against Lilian Cromarty. "Well, that's all," said Ned, and began to move across the room. But now the instinct for finding a scapegoat began to revive. "Who did you tell it to, Ned?" she asked. "Simon Rattar." "Then he has spread this dreadful story!" she exclaimed with righteous indignation.
Her master's quick glance made her jump. "Why?" he demanded. "Because, sir, I found footsteps in the gravel this morning where it's soft with the rain, sir, just under the library window." Mr. Rattar looked first hard at her and then at his plate. For several seconds he answered nothing, and then he said: "I did hear some one."
"I like these simple riddles," said Ned with a twinkle in his single eye. "I guess your answer to yourself was 'No!" Carrington nodded. "That's what I call having my cards played for me. I knew then that the man was lying; so I threw him off the scent, changed the subject, and did not keep Mr. Simon Rattar in touch with any single thing I did after that." "Good for you!" said Ned.
The sudden glance which the lawyer shot at him, struck Ned as unusual in his experience of Simon Rattar. He appeared to be startled again, and yet it was not mere annoyance that seemed to show for the fraction of a second in his eye. And then the next instant the man's gaze was as cold and steady as ever. He pursed his lips and considered his answer in silence before he spoke.
During the rest of breakfast he glanced at the letter once or twice, and each time his brows contracted, but he said nothing more in presence of Cicely and Malcolm. After he had left the dining room, however, Lady Cromarty followed him and said: "Don't be too hasty with Mr. Rattar, Reggie! After all, the talk may have slipped his memory." "Slipped his memory?
In fact if I hadn't got to pay Sir Reginald back the £1,200 it would be all right, so far I can figure out. But I want your exact statement, Mr. Rattar, and as quick as you can let me have it." Simon nodded and grunted. "You'll get it." And then he added: "I think I can assure you there is nothing to be concerned about."
About ten minutes afterwards the front door bell rang and there stood Mr. Carrington again. His eye seemed strangely bright, she thought, but his manner was calm and soothing as ever. "I noticed Mr. Rattar return," he said, "and I thought I would like to make sure that it was all right, before I left. I trust, Mary, that you have got into no trouble on my account."
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