The inspector rose too.
“I am much obliged for your frankness. If all the witnesses in this most unhappy tangle were Mr. Carnthwackes, we should soon find ourselves out in the open, I fancy.”
The millionaire looked pleased at this compliment.
“I know one can't do better than lay all one's cards on the table when one is dealing with the English police,” he remarked. “Well, so long, gentlemen. Later on I want to take Mrs. Carnthwacke for a cruise to get over all this worry and trouble. But I guess we will have to stop here awhile in case you want her as a witness. And so if you want either of us any time,—I reckon you know my number—you can ring us up or come round.”
With a curiously ungraceful bow he turned to the door. A minute or two later they saw him drive off in his limousine.
John Steadman drew a long breath.
“Well, inspector?”
For answer the inspector handed him his notebook. The last entry was: “Inquire into C.B.C.'s movements on the day.”
John Steadman glanced curiously at the inspector as he handed it back.
“Do you think he did not realize? Or is he trying to screen some one?”