"Well, sir, I stuck the pin in my scarf careless like, as I was in a hurry to go up to the Hall to see Sir Rupert."
"What hour was this."
"About four o'clock, sir. I went up to the Hall, and Sir Rupert, sir, he was in his study; so instead of going in by the door, I went in by the window."
"So you first went along the terrace?"
"Yes, sir! And as the pin was stuck in careless, I suppose it fell as I went into the room by the window."
"Not impossible!" said Maxwell, thoughtfully.
"I saw Sir Rupert, took my orders, and then came home, sir, and didn't go out again that night."
"Eh!" cried Mrs. Belk, starting up, "no more you did, lad; I can swear to that."
"And so can Mr. Gelthrip, the parson, sir," said Belk, triumphantly. "He called here in the evening, and I saw him. So you see, sir, as I didn't go near the Hall until the next morning, I didn't have nought to do with the killing."
"No; certainly not."