"I want to have a look at the room, before the peelers disarrange things. If the cove in the fur-coat killed Sir Simon, he might have left some evidence behind him, which the police overlooked. Now," added Kind, measuring Browne with a keen glance, "you've seen the corpse, I've heard, and can get into that room again, by saying as you want to do some doctor's work with me to assist. Once let me get in, and I'll look round."
Browne made a cup of his hand for his chin, and pondered.
"I can do it," he said at last in a brisk manner, "but will we not go and see your wife first?"
"Not just now, Rachel's asleep."
"Alone?"
"In course," said Kind stolidly, "only me and she lives in the cart."
"I'll go and see after her, while you search the bedroom," said Elspeth about to leave the room.
"But your missus, my gal?"
"She's in bed, and won't know. Pope will attend to the customers, and I'm too useful to him to be betrayed to his mother."
This plan was agreed upon, and Elspeth with a shawl over her head slipped out of the inn, with a hasty excuse to Pope. Browne sought out the constable left in charge, who had the key of the death-chamber and madetapta his request. The man,--Fairburn it was,--knowing that Browne was in the confidence of his Inspector, as he thought, made no objection, and readily accompanied the two to the room. But he allowed them to enter alone, and thought that he was doing his duty by yawning at the door, looking up and down the dark passage in a listless manner. Kind carried the sole candle which the officer allowed to be taken into the room.