"I think at ten minutes after twelve."
"Did she go out alone?"
"Yes. Mr. Desmond followed shortly afterwards."
"Did he say anything?"
"No, not a word."
Dowker felt puzzled. It was evident Desmond had given her a message from Calliston that made her angry, and she left the house in a rage, but then this did not connect anyone with a design to murder her. Suddenly he remembered that Ellersby had mentioned that he had met Desmond coming up St. James' Street a short time before the body was found. Was it possible that he had killed Miss Sarschine and was then coming away from the scene of his crime? Impossible, because the doctor said the woman must have been dead some hours. And yet he might have killed her and gone down St. James' Street to avert suspicion, and then come up again when he thought the coast would be clear. Unfortunately, he had met Ellersby and then--well, Dowker made up his mind he would go and see Ellersby, find out what he could about the meeting, and afterwards call on Myles Desmond. He, perhaps, might give some satisfactory explanation of his interview with Miss Sarschine, and account for his presence after the interview. If he did not, well, it would appear suspicious.
While these thoughts were rapidly passing through his mind, Totty had her eyes fastened eagerly on him.
"Well, now I've answered all your questions," she said, "perhaps you'll tell me what it all means."
"Murder!"
Mrs. Povy became quite excited, for she had a keen relish for horrors.