“Of course I will come, inspector,” the barrister said readily. “As I should go anywhere where it was in the least probable that I should hear anything at all bearing upon our own case. One never knows from what point elucidation may come.”
Mrs. Bechcombe turned her shoulder to him.
“Oh, please don't prose, John! Now what has happened to Mrs. Carnthwacke, inspector?”
“Mrs. Carnthwacke, madam, was just taking a drive as you might yourself. She came up Piccadilly, left an order at a shop in New Bond Street, told her man to drive by way of Regent Street and Oxford Street to the Park, to go in by the Marble Arch and wait near the Victoria Gate until Mr. Carnthwacke who had been out for the night came from Paddington Station to join them. As it happened he was at the meeting-place first. When the car stopped he was amazed to see Mrs. Carnthwacke lolling back in a sort of crouching position against the side of the car. At first he thought she had had a fit of some kind, but there was an odour to which he was unaccustomed hanging about the car and then he discovered a piece of cord twisted tightly round his wife's throat. He cut it in a frenzy of fear and for some time they thought she was dead. But they drove straight to some doctor they knew close to the Park. He tried artificial respiration and brought her round to some extent, and then before they took her home, phoned to Scotland Yard for me.”
“What was the motive?” Steadman asked quietly.
The inspector raised his eyebrows.
“Only one person saw Mr. Bechcombe's murderer. Mrs. Carnthwacke was a witness to be feared.”
“But you say she is not got rid of! She is alive!” Mrs. Bechcombe interrupted hysterically.
“At present,” the inspector rejoined grimly. “Mr. Steadman, if you could come——? As I said before, Carnthwacke is most anxious to have your advice with regard to what steps should be taken to discover the would-be murderer. And there is no time to be lost.”
“I am at your service, inspector.” Steadman turned to the door. “You shall hear further particulars as soon as possible, Madeline.”