“But you did!” Alec persisted obstinately.
“Yes, excellent but sponge-headed Alexander,” Roger explained patiently, “because I thought at first that they were important. Now I see that I was mistaken, and they aren’t. Are you beginning to grasp the idea?”
“Well, tell me this, then,” Alec said suddenly. “Why the dickens didn’t Jefferson get the documents out of the safe directly after Stanworth’s death, instead of waiting till the next morning and getting so agitated about it?”
“Yes, I thought of that. Presumably because they were both so flustered at what had happened that they forgot all about the documents in their anxiety to cover up their traces and get away.”
Alec sniffed slightly. “Rather unlikely that, isn’t it? Not natural, as you’re always so fond of saying.”
“Unlikely things do happen sometimes, however. This one did, for instance.”
“Then you’re absolutely convinced that Jefferson killed Stanworth, and that’s how it all happened, are you?”
“I am, Alexander.”
“Oh!”
“Well, aren’t you?”