"Mr. Varr told us yesterday that Mr. Krech was sending for you."
"'Us'?" He turned to look at her while she answered. "How many people knew that I was coming, do you suppose?"
"Oh—several, anyway! Why?"
"I'm wondering if the news could have reached the ears of the murderer," he explained. "Some one was persecuting Mr. Varr, we know that. If he suddenly learned that a detective was coming—you see?"
"He might have thought it better to—to strike while the striking was good? Yes, I see." She took her eyes from the road long enough to give him a quick look. "You think of things very quickly, Mr. Creighton!"
"Practice makes perfect," he murmured. "Who is Norvallis?"
"Assistant County Attorney, or something like that. Murders are rather too complicated to be handled by the local police, evidently."
"Yes, the County takes hold usually—sometimes the State, if the County can't make the grade. You spoke of a doctor—was that the County Physician? Has the body been moved yet?"
"Yes—thank goodness! I wasn't a great admirer of Simon's, but it wasn't nice to think of him lying out there in a tomato-patch! However, I suppose you're disappointed."
"Why? Oh, I see! You're assuming that I might be interested in the investigation. That doesn't seem likely. I came here on some matter of burglary—and quite possibly that has ceased to be of importance now. I must talk to Norvallis, though."