"What do you mean, Colonel?"
"Eh? What's that? Did I say anything?" and the detective seemed roused from a reverie, for he had spoken his last remarks in a low voice.
"You spoke about a carp—the right man—"
"Oh, I—I was just thinking of something in Walton. Never mind me. It's a bad habit I've been acquiring lately of thinking aloud. Now to business!" and the colonel drew some papers from his pocket.
Darcy looked at his new friend in some surprise. Certainly the colonel had spoken as though he might, at one time, have had a chance to get the "right man." Did that mean the real murderer?
Darcy shook his head. His nerves were beginning to go back on him he feared.
"Do you know Aaron Grafton?" asked the colonel.
"Oh, yes," replied Darcy. "Every one in town knows him as one of the prominent merchants."
"Was he at the store the day of the—the day Mrs. Darcy was killed?"
"I don't remember. So many things happened—there were so many in the place. As I think back, though, I don't remember seeing him."