"No; Drabble's interest was to keep him alive, unless he proved stubborn. Then----whew!" Mallow drew a long breath. From his experiences in the Soho house, he had little difficulty in guessing what Mrs. Arne would have done had young Carson proved obdurate. "But I don't think they killed him," he added; "no, I am sure they didn't."
"But who else could have a motive?" asked the vicar, wrinkling his brows. "They left him well, you say, and returned to find him dead. Some one, according to your theory, must have been in the house meanwhile."
"Undoubtedly. And that some one is the murderer. But who is he?"
"It is impossible to say. Angus lived all his days in India; he knew no one in England. Perhaps Major Semberry----"
"No." Mallow shook his head. "He denied it strenuously, and, so far as I can see, he had as much interest as the Anarchists in keeping Carson alive. Come, Mr. Brock, are you sure there was nothing that happened at Kikat likely to lead to this?"
"After thirty years--nothing. Besides, Carson was not married then; the boy was not born."
"I wonder," said Mallow, musingly, "if that bangle had anything to do with it?"
"How could it?" asked Mr. Brock, amazed.
"Well, I understand it was taken from an idol."
"No." Brock shook his head. "That is not correct. Singha gave the bangle to Carson--my friend--with the full permission of the priests. He cured the Rao of a severe illness, and the priests approved of the reward."