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Wendover says that man called some days before the murder." "Still, it may have been Nepcote." "That goes beyond me," said Caldew, with a puzzled look. "What are you implying?" "Nothing at present. Every step in this case convinces me that we are faced with a very deep mystery. It isn't worth while to hazard a guess, because guessing is always unsatisfactory."
Caldew was silent for a space, cogitating over these points with a troubled look which contrasted with his previous confident expressions of opinion about the case. His inward perturbation was made manifest in the question: "Do you also share Mr. Heredith's view that Hazel Rath is innocent?" "I cannot say. The facts against her are very strong."
This unforeseen obstacle rather disconcerted Caldew at first, but on looking out of the window again it seemed to him, by the lay of the house, that the window of Miss Heredith's bedroom was closer to the moat than the window at which he was standing. As Miss Heredith had transferred her bedroom to the other wing, he decided to go into the room and see if he were right.
"I am afraid I cannot tell you anything about the investigations," replied the detective cautiously. "I am not in charge of the case, you know." "I understand," rejoined the other, with a nod. "Perhaps I should not have asked you. My anxiety must be my excuse." He uttered this apology so courteously and pleasantly that Caldew felt momentarily ashamed of his own rigidly official attitude.
"I shall be very glad of Detective Caldew's help in unravelling this terrible mystery," Captain Stanhill remarked courteously. Caldew drew several conclusions from his chief's speech. Merrington was puzzled about the case, but had no intention of taking him into his counsel.
He had a great notion of his self-importance, and had no intention of dancing attendance on a mere country practitioner. Caldew went away, and shortly reappeared with a little man whom he introduced as Dr. Holmes. The doctor was a meagre shrimp of humanity, with a peevish expression on his withered little face, as though he were bored with his own nonentity.
He led them into a room overlooking the Thames Embankment, hung up their hats, took the wine card from the frame of the mirror over the mantelpiece, wrote down the order for the dinner, and disappeared downstairs to get the dishes. "It seems to me that you've been here before," said Caldew. "I always come here when I have an expedition in hand," was the response.
"He seems quite normal and rational. Will you see him and tell him?" "Yes. As a matter of fact it is advisable that he should know everything without delay. I sent for you to tell you that Detective Caldew has just arrived to ascertain if Phil can identify the revolver. I told him Phil was still ill, but he is persistent, and thinks that he ought to be allowed to see him.
The photographer and the finger-print expert left the room together, and Merrington walked across to the bed. He drew away the sheet which covered the dead girl, and bent over the body, examining it closely, but without touching it. "The corpse has not been moved, I suppose?" he remarked to Caldew, who was standing beside him. "Not since I arrived. But she may not have been shot in that position.
I want to try and surprise him, and let him see that there are other men at Scotland Yard besides himself." "I don't think you have much to fear from Merrington," said Colwyn, laughing outright. "He is in a chastened mood at present. But you can rely on my discretion, and I hope you will get your man." "I believe I shall," returned Caldew in a confident tone. "Shall we make a start?"
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