"So you believe he was with Sir Simon when Lucy and Beryl were at the theatre?"
"Yes," said Durham, looking directly at Gore, "and Tolomeo is Italian."
Bernard jumped up nervously. "Do you mean to hint that Tolomeo may have strangled my grandfather?"
"Yes, I do. Tolomeo may have come to see him—indeed, he must have done so to make use of such an expression as the 'Red Lamp.' The two quarrelled, and perhaps your uncle, losing his temper——"
"No, no! I can't believe that," said Gore, walking anxiously to and fro. "Tolomeo is wild but not wicked."
"That depends on what you call wicked," said Durham, dryly, and preparing to take his leave. "However, we can leave this clue, if clue it is, alone at present. What I have to do is to question Mrs. Gilroy about her son. Also I may see Miss Randolph and Jerry Moon. But of one thing I am certain, Bernard: your grandfather had several visitors during that evening. Your half-brother Michael came, also your uncle. One of the two——"
"No! I would rather believe Mrs. Gilroy strangled the old man herself."
"She is quite capable of doing so," said Durham, coolly, "but I do not think she did. His death was unfortunate for her schemes; he was of more value to her alive than dead. But it might be that Michael killed Sir Simon, and that Mrs. Gilroy is using you as a scapegoat. However, I learn the truth from her to-day."
"If that theory is correct, Tolomeo——"
"Is innocent, quite so. We'll give him the benefit of the doubt. But I want to know what he was doing with Sir Simon on that evening. He may be able to tell us something if he is innocent himself."