"Yes!"
"You know that he was Mr. Leigh's shadow. Well, he tells me now that he was lurking about the Vicarage on the night of the murder and that he saw Mr. Carrington there."
"The deuce! Why didn't he say so before?"
Dorinda shook her head. "He refuses to say."
"I shall question him myself, then," said Hendle briskly; "anyhow, he will be a new and important witness. I am afraid Carrington's goose is cooked."
"Poor creature!" sighed Dorinda, always tender-hearted. "Oh, poor creature!"
[CHAPTER XIX]
RESURGAM
Next evening Rupert received a curt note from Mallien stating that Carrington had replied to the effect that he would come down to Barship on the ensuing day, and would reach The Big House at twelve o'clock. Pleased with the information, since the interview was likely to settle the question of the vicar's murder once and for all, Hendle took it upon himself to arrange matters. To compel plain speaking on the part of the slippery barrister, it was necessary that witnesses should be present for the purpose of proving beyond question his presence in Barship on the night of the crime. Without doubt Carrington would twist and turn like an eel in his efforts to escape from the corner in which the procurable evidence would place him. Rupert, weary of mystery and worry, made up his mind that the man should be finally brought to book, and therefore went in search of Dr. Tollart. Now that Inspector Lawson was to be dragged into the matter, for the purpose of arresting the culprit, there was no need for further secrecy. And, besides visiting the doctor, Hendle intended to call on Ark for his testimony. Faced by these two witnesses, it would not be easy for Carrington to win free.
Mrs. Beatson duly went away for her so-called holiday, which was simply a preface to her dismissal. Her presence was not required at the coming interview, as what she knew and what she had done did not touch immediately on Carrington's guilt. Also, neither Dorinda nor Sophy was to be present, as they could give no first-hand evidence. Rupert himself, Mallien, Ark and the doctor were the necessary people to prove that Carrington had struck the blow, and the Squire employed Kit to bring Lawson from Tarhaven for his share in the proceedings. And so that everything should be prepared beforehand for Lawson's action Rupert arranged that the officer should not arrive at The Big House until one o'clock. This would give Rupert and his friends sixty minutes to bring Carrington to bay.