"I know no more than you do. We must find out. It is something that we know the name of the murderer."
Ferdy gasped. "And--and--do you?" he stuttered.
"Of course. That man Osip is----"
"Oh!" Ferdy wiped his face. "Osip,--of course--the Purple Fern man. But how can you be certain he is guilty?"
"He put his trade-mark on Uncle Henry's forehead," said Clarice, and left the bedroom, after a second command to Ferdy that he should dress quickly, and come on the scene of action.
"Osip! Osip!" said Ferdy to himself, stripping for his bath; "that's the man in grey, Jerce talked of--the man who called on old Mother Dumps and paid her for a bed he did not use. I wonder if he really is guilty. At all events," murmured Ferdy, thankfully, and splashing in his tub, "as Clarry locked me in last night, they can't say that I have anything to do with it. Poor Uncle Henry!--but," cheerfully, "now I'll get my money, and can marry Prudence; if," ruefully, "if Sally Dumps will let me."
Meanwhile Clarice, downstairs, was talking to Inspector Tick, who was in charge of the Crumel police, and who had come with two constables to see about the tragedy. Miss Baird told him all that had happened since Jerce had been searched on the terrace by the man in grey, who had given the name of Osip to Mrs. Dumps. Then she conducted Tick to the death-chamber, and left him to examine Chalks and the body. Later Wentworth arrived, and two hours afterwards Captain Ackworth appeared on the scene. Both were horrified.
"Didn't you hear a cry, Clarice?" asked Anthony, when in possession of the facts.
"I heard nothing," she replied, "nor did Chalks. But that is not to be wondered at, since Chalks sleeps at the back of the house, and is far away from Uncle Henry's room."
"Did Ferdy hear anything?"