"But, Blair," argued Alan, "you forget that the doctor's body was seen in the hut. Even if Brown had dragged it there--which, I admit, he might have done--I don't see how he could have brought it back again to the vault."
"I do, Mr. Thorold. It was Brown who had the key. Most likely he put the dead body in a place of safety, then came back the following night, to hide it away in the safest place he knew of--to wit, the vault. If you recollect, no alarm as to the loss of Marlow's body was given, or was likely to be given. Warrender's dead body would not have been searched for in the vault. It is, at least, highly improbable that the vault would have been opened."
"That is true," assented Alan. "But that Cicero by chance saw the affair, I dare say we should have remained in ignorance of the business for many a long day. No one would have gone to the vault. A very clever man, this Brown."
"Very clever. But for the accident of Cicero having slept in the churchyard, he would have got off scot-free. As it is, I don't see how we can hunt him down. His gout, his dumbness, his white hair and beard may have been assumed. The fact of the linen left at Mrs. Marry's being unmarked is proof enough that he was disguised."
"Perhaps," said Alan doubtfully. "What I can't make out is, how he knew I had the key of the vault in my desk."
"Did you mention it to any one?"
"Only to Mr. Phelps."
"Where?"
"In the churchyard after the funeral. We were all round the vault and the service was just over. Phelps locked the door with his key and asked me where mine was. I said, 'In my desk in the library.'"
"Was Brown present at the funeral?"