“Tiens! Mr. Thompson is leaving us? Ah, no; there is his trunk. It is only his hand-bag that has gone.” And she left them alone.
“Want to examine the trunk?” asked the American. “I suppose your warrant justifies that?”
“Quite. Funny about the bag, isn't it?”
“That's what startled me. We don't want to slip up on him again.”
Pointer thought that Mr. Beale had looked annoyed rather than startled by the maid's question. He himself walked slowly around the room. Watts had been left on duty below. He looked at a box of vestas on the mantelpiece. They were the same as those found in No. 14 of the Enterprise. Certainly for an expert crook the room was strangely bare.
A step sounded on the stairs. Mr. Beale jumped behind the door, ready to close it. The police-officer seated himself facing the door. A key was inserted, the door was flung widely open, and a young man with a couple of heavy parcels in his arms entered with a decided limp, but swung the door shut with one agile foot. It was the face Pointer had seen photographed as Green. A resolute, strong face, set on a powerful rangy frame.
He caught sight of the impassive figure by the table with the steady eyes fixed on him and stopped. For a second he stood staring, a curious grey creeping under his tan.
“I'm not alone, Mr. Carter, and even if I were, violence wouldn't help you,” said the Chief Inspector, rising to his feet. He knew what that tightened jaw meant. “I have a warrant here for your arrest charging you with the murder of Robert Erskine in London on August 4. Of course, as you know, if you wish it I must call in the French authorities; but the end will be the same. It will save time if you come quietly with me back to England and let me arrest you at Dover. I must warn you that anything you say may be used in evidence against you.”
The young man made no reply; his eyes were now fixed on the table. He was evidently thinking hard. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple.
“A French prison is very uncomfortable, but please yourself.” Pointer hoped the young man would take it sensibly.