"It proves that he was here in this secluded spot at one time or another, since he lost the opal among those grasses."
"Mallien may have wandered round the garden as we are doing."
"We came deliberately here because the will was found in this place by Mrs. Beatson. But what took Mallien to the sundial?"
Rupert slipped the ornament into his waistcoat pocket. "You will find it difficult to fasten the guilt of the crime on Mallien," he said dryly.
"You say that because the man is Miss Mallien's father and you wish to shield her," returned the barrister coolly. "All the same, if Lawson, for instance, knew the circumstances, he would build up a very pretty case against our disagreeable friend."
"As how?"
"Mallien knew about the will before Leigh was murdered, as you know from the story of Mrs. Beatson. The will meant much to him, so it is just possible that he came to the Vicarage to get it from Leigh. Failing to get it given to him freely, he struck----"
"No! No! I can't believe that."
"What else can you believe when the ornament, which we both know belongs to Mallien, is found on the edge of the hole where the will was buried?"
"Mallien may be able to explain."