The idea struck Anthony as containing great possibilities. He rose from the chair in which he had been seated. “It’s certainly worth testing, Inspector,” he exclaimed. He jerked his head almost imperceptibly towards Miss Carruthers. Bannister caught his meaning.
“Do you feel that you could submit to the ordeal of viewing the body, Miss Carruthers?” he asked.
The lady thus addressed shuddered. “Please don’t ask me to do that,” she replied—white to the lips. “But I can’t believe it’s Lois. It’s terrible to think that——” She stopped as a sudden thought appeared to strike her. “Ask Captain Willoughby to look,” she exclaimed. “He’s almost certain to be at the ‘Cassandra’—’phone from here.”
“That’s certainly a good idea,” said Bannister grimly. “Captain Willoughby—the lady’s fiancé—will be able to settle the point at once. Get on to the ‘Cassandra,’ Godfrey, and tell him we want him down here at once, will you? Wrap it up a bit. Break it to him gently.”
Godfrey went out, to return in a matter of a few moments.
“Did you get him?”
Godfrey nodded. “He’s coming straight down here.”
“How did he take it?” demanded Bannister.
“Seemed very upset at the possibility—naturally—I only hinted at it, too.”
The Crown Prince twirled the ends of his moustache. “After all, Inspector,” he contributed, “say what you like—you’ve nothing really tangible towards this theory of yours. You may be alarming Captain Willoughby needlessly—it seems to me——”