“No, unless a man killed him at the instigation of or in behalf of some women and Sir Herbert wanted the deed traced to its true source.”
“Even that doesn’t seem to make plausible a positive assertion that ‘women did this.’ No, there’s no getting away from that avowal. And, you must see that the use of the plural,—women,—signifies collusion. Two or more must be implicated. Not necessarily two or more present at the moment of the crime, but two or more to be found and punished.”
“Yes, I see all that,—and I want to find the criminals as much as you do. Especially now, since Miss Prall’s name has been dragged in. But I do want you to understand how little her hints at ‘killing’ anybody really mean. You know what an extravagant talker she is.”
“I do know that, and I assure you I’ll make all allowances. But I can’t leave any stone unturned.”
The man Peters had been in and out of the room and, as he reappeared, Richard said, “You know Miss Prall, Peters. You know how carelessly she speaks of serious things?”
“Yes, sir, I do. But you needn’t tell me them little chickens ever had any hand in the murderin’! Why, they just couldn’t have had.”
“Anything is possible, Peters,” said Bates, sternly. “And I don’t want you to make those definite statements. They mean nothing, save that such is your opinion.”
“But my opinions is pretty sound ones, Mr Bates, an’ founded on a lot of personal knowledge of Sir Herbert,—rest his soul. And I tell you, gentlemen, that that deed could never ha’ been done by young girls,—neither the little ladies that Sir Herbert was fond of kitin’ round with nor yet the girls employed in this house. No, sir, that fearful crime was planned and carried out by older heads than theirs. Men or women might ‘a’ done it,—but never little half-baked flappers like them you’re suspectin’.”
“There’s sense in that,” mused Gibbs, and Bates flared out: “I suppose that leads you more certainly to suspicion of my aunt. But you’re wrong, Gibbs, all wrong! Now, look here, suppose, just for a moment, there had been no written message,—which way would you look then?”
“Toward some business complications,” said Gibbs, promptly. “You see, Sir Herbert Binney was putting over an awful big deal in that matter of his Bun business. He had dickered with several big bakery companies and he was a shrewd man at a bargain.”