"What's wrong with Payne?" asked Dr. Fell.
"He wants the door of the Governor's Room sealed up with bricks for good. Says its purpose is over now. Well, I only hope it is. But we can't do it yet. Payne always has a kind of mental toothache about something. Finally, since the last Starberth male heir is dead, Dr. Markley wants the well filled up."
Dr. Fell puffed out his cheeks. "We certainly can't do that," he agreed. "Sit down. There's something we've got to tell you."
While the doctor was pouring out stiff drinks at the sideboard, he told Sir Benjamin everything that had happened that afternoon. During the recital, Rampole was watching the girl's face. She had not spoken much since Dr. Fell had begun to explain what lay behind the Starberths; but she seemed to see peace.
Sir Benjamin was flapping his hands behind his back. His damp clothes exhaled a strong odour of tweed and tobacco.
"I don't doubt it, I don't doubt it," he grumbled. "But why did you have to be so confoundedly long about telling this? We've lost a lot of time.- Still, it doesn't alter what we've got to face-that Herbert's the only one who could be guilty. Inquest said so."
"Does that reassure you?"
"No. Damn it. I don't think the boy's guilty. But what else can we do?"
"No trace of him yet?"
"Oh, he's been reported everywhere; but they haven't found him. In the meantime, I repeat, what else can we do?"