"The kidnapping of Armour," echoed Browne, stopping short, amazed.
"I forgot, you only know that Armour was found in the ditch," said Kind. "A railway porter on the way home this morning found him. He was taken to Desleigh where he lives, and Trent was sent for. But I know Mrs. Armour, who is an old friend of mine, and I saw Armour before the Inspector saw him. Then Trent arrived, and sent that telegram to Miss Tedder."
"And what explanation does Armour give?"
"He had gone his rounds and arrived at Desleigh about one in the morning. He rested on the bench outside the tap-room door until two o'clock, or rather between two and three. Then he says that some men,--he could not guess how many,--suddenly came out of the mist and gagged him and bound him and wrapped his head in a shawl. They carried him to a ditch some distance from the railway station and left him there. The poor chap was nearly stifled when he was found, as all the time his head was tied up in the shawl."
"But why was he kidnapped?"
"Ah, that is what I want to find out," Kind looked at Browne. "You have given me a clue."
"What is the clue?"
"I'll tell you after the inquest," said Kind, turning away: then when he was some distance off, he called back. "See Mr. Ritson, doctor, and come to the caravan after the inquest."
"But you wanted to see me about----"
"I have seen you," called back Kind, "and have said what I wanted to say about Armour."