Did you hear anything they said?
Just a word or two from Mr. Herapath, sir, as him and the other gentleman parted.
What were they?tell us the words, as near as you can remember.
Mr. Herapath said, Have it ready for me tomorrow, and Ill look in at your place about noon. Thats all, sir.
What happened then?
The other gentleman went off across the Yard, sir, and Mr. Herapath came to the brougham, and told me to drive him to the estate officehere, sir.
You drove him up to this door, I suppose?
No, sir. Mr. Herapath never was driven up to the doorhe always got out of the brougham in the road outside and walked up the archway. He did that last night.
From where you pulled up could you see if there was any light in these offices?
No, sirI pulled up just short of the entrance to the archway.
Did Mr. Herapath say anything to you when he got out?
Yes, sir. He said he should most likely be three-quarters of an hour here, and that Id better put a rug over the mare and walk her about.
Then I suppose he went up the archway. Now, did you see anybody about the entrance? Did you see any person waiting as if to meet him? Did he meet anybody?
I saw no one, sir. As soon as hed gone up the archway I threw a rug over the mare and walked her round and round the square across the road.
You heard and saw nothing of him until he came out again?
Nothing, sir.
And how long was he away from you?
Nearer an hour than three-quarters, sir.
Were you in full view of the entrance all that time?
No, sir, I wasnt. Some of the time I wassome of it Id my back to it.
You never saw any one enter the archway during the time Mr. Herapath was in the office?
No, sir.
All the same, some one could have come here during that time without your seeing him?
Oh, yes, sir!
Well, at last Mr. Herapath came out. Where did he rejoin you?
In the middle of the road, sirright opposite that statue in the Square gardens.
Did he say anything particular then?
No, sir. He walked sharply across, opened the door, said Home and jumped in.
You didnt notice anything unusual about him?
Nothing, sirunless it was that he hung his head down rather as he came acrosssame as if he was thinking hard, sir.
You drove straight home to Portman Square, then. What time did you get there?
Exactly one oclock, sir.
Youre certain about that time?
Certain, sir. It was just five minutes past one when I drove into our mews.
Now, then, be careful about this, Mountain. I want to know exactly what happened when you drove up to the house. Tell us in your own way.
The coachman looked round amongst the listeners as if he were a little perplexed. Why, sir, he answered, turning back to Barthorpe, there was nothing happened! At least, I mean to say, there was nothing happened that didnt always happen on such occasionsMr. Herapath got out of the brougham, shut the door, said Good night, and went up the steps, taking his latch-key out of his pocket as he crossed the pavement, sir. That was all, sir.
Did you actually see him enter the house?
No, sir, replied Mountain, with a decisive shake of the head. I couldnt say that I did that. I saw him just putting the key in the latch as I drove off.
And thats all you know?
Thats all I know, sirall.
Barthorpe, after a moments hesitation, turned to the police-inspector.
Is there anything that occurs to you? he asked.
One or two things occur to me, answered the inspector. But Im not going to ask any questions now. I suppose all you want at present is to get a rough notion of how things were last night?
Just so, assented Barthorpe. A rough notionthats it. Well, Kitteridge, its your turn. Who found out that Mr. Herapath wasnt in the house this morning?
Charlesworth, sirMr. Herapaths valet, replied the butler. He always called Mr. Herapath at a quarter past seven every morning. When he went into the bedroom this morning Mr. Herapath wasnt there, and the bed hadnt been slept in. Then Charlesworth came and told me, sir, and of course I went to the study at once, and then I saw that, wherever Mr. Herapath might be then, he certainly had been home.
You judged that fromwhat? asked Barthorpe.
Well, sir, its been the rule to leave a supper-tray out for Mr. Herapath. Not much, sirwhisky and soda, a sandwich or two, a dry biscuit. I saw that hed had something, sir.
Somebody else might have had iteh?
Yes, sir, but then you see, Id had Mountain fetched by that time, and he told me that hed seen Mr. Herapath letting himself in at one oclock. So of course I knew the master had been in.
Barthorpe hesitated, seemed to ponder matters for a moment, and then rose. I dont think we need go into things any further just now, he said. You, Kitteridge, and you, Mountain, can go home. Dont talkthat is, dont talk any more than is necessary. I suppose, he went on, turning to the inspector when the two servants and the caretaker had left the room. I suppose youll see to all the arrangements we spoke of?
Theyre being carried out already, answered the inspector. Of course, he added, drawing closer to Barthorpe and speaking in lower tones, when the bodys been removed, youll join me in making a thorough inspection of the room? We havent done that yet, you know, and it should be done. Wouldnt it be best, he continued with a glance at Peggie and a further lowering of his voice, if the young lady went back to Portman Square?
Just so, just soIll see to it, answered Barthorpe. You go and keep people out of the way for a few minutes, and Ill get her off. He turned to his cousin when the two officers had left the room and motioned her to rise. Now, Peggie, he said, you must go home. I shall come along there myself in an hour or twothere are things to be done which you and I must do together. Mr. Selwoodwill you take Miss Wynne out to the car? And then, please, come back to meI want your assistance for a while.
Peggie walked out of the room and to the car without demur or comment. But as she was about to take her seat she turned to Selwood.
Why didnt Mr. Tertius come into the room just now? she demanded.
Selwood hesitated. Until then he had thought that Peggie had heard the brief exchange of words between Barthorpe and Mr. Tertius at the door.
Didnt you hear what was said at the door when we were all coming in? he asked suddenly, looking attentively at her.
I heard my cousin and Mr. Tertius talking, but I couldnt catch what was said, she replied. If you did, tell meI want to know.
Mr. Barthorpe Herapath refused to admit Mr. Tertius, said Selwood.
Refused? she exclaimed. Refused?
Refused, repeated Selwood. Thats all I know.
Peggie sat down and gave him an enigmatic look.
You, of course, will come back to the house whenwhen youve finished here? she said.
I dont knowI supposereally, I dont know, answered Selwood. You see, II, of course, dont know exactly where I am, now. I suppose I must take my orders fromyour cousin.
Peggie gave him another look, more enigmatic than the other.