"I hope you do, Colonel. And if there's anything I can do—"
"Thanks, but Miss Mason has already arranged to have me whip her father's trout stream when this case is over, and that's reward enough for me. Now, sir, one last word to you!" and the colonel assumed the military appearance that so well befitted him. "Stop worrying!"
"I'll try, Colonel!"
"Don't try—do it."
"One question."
"Well, one only. What is it?
"Do you think Mr. Grafton—"
The detective smiled and shook his finger at Darcy.
"You just let me do the thinking!" he advised as he turned to go out.
Colonel Ashley spent two busy days, most of his time being given over to investigating Aaron Grafton. And the more he saw of that gentleman the more the detective became convinced that the merchant knew something of the crime.