“Yes,” admitted Berwick readily, “it is so.”
“Since we have brought the peacock, which it is necessary to do, in order for Miss Inderwick to obtain possession of the box deposited here over one hundred years ago by Simon Ferrier, you naturally wish to know how we come to possess it.”
“But surely Mr. Berwick doesn’t think that we murdered Mr. Grison to obtain this,” said Marie indignantly, touching the glowing splendor of the bird.
“No! no! no!” the manager assured her hastily, “nothing was further from my thoughts, my dear young lady. But, as Mr. Fuller sensibly observes, it is necessary for me to safeguard the interests of the bank.”
“All the same you did think that I or Mr. Fuller had killed Mr. Grison,” persisted Marie, her obstinacy again coming uppermost.
“No! really, really——”
“Never mind,” remarked Alan impatiently, and cutting short the man’s protestations, “it is natural that Mr. Berwick should suspect us, in the face of Miss Grison’s statement. Better send for Inspector Moon, who has charge of the Rotherhithe case; and also I must ask you to send to the office of The Latest News for Richard Latimer.”
“Why?” asked the man rising and staring. “Because he can prove how I became possessed of the peacock.”
“I shall do what you ask, and you will excuse me, Mr. Fuller, if I am rather punctilious in dealing with the matter.”
“I quite understand, Mr. Berwick. The affair is an odd one, and when we tell you what we know, you will find it even odder than you suspect. In the meantime, please telephone for Mr. Latimer and Inspector Moon, mentioning my name to both of them, and Miss Inderwick’s also, if you like.”