“Prescott had no money anywhere, had he, Inspector?” asked Sir Charles.
“Not a coin, sir—he was robbed as well as murdered. But this is a significant fact, he was only robbed of cash. Not of anything else.”
“May I ask Lieutenant Barker a question?” from Anthony.
Barker raised his eyebrows.
“When you gave Prescott your I.O.U. was it at the card-table or after you rose?”
“At the card-table—directly we had finished playing.” The answer came promptly and abruptly.
“So that,” and here Anthony spoke with extreme deliberation, “at least two people saw it passed over? Eh?”
“Hornby and Robertson undoubtedly,” continued Barker. “There may have been others near.”
“Can you recall anybody?”
Barker reflected. “Captain Arkwright and his wife were standing close by—Mrs. Arkwright had just come from the piano—and I rather think her sister was with them—I can’t remember anybody else.”