"How could he find out that it was a forgery?"
"Oh, very easily. Roper might have talked, or Jenner might have listened. At all events he knew the truth. I suppose they met that night at the Turnpike House."
"No," said Heron, suddenly recollecting his conversation with the dead man's widow. "Jenner had seen Marshall before he came to the Turnpike House. Of course, Marshall might have followed him and watched him through the window; then seeing the pocket-book--which he supposed would contain the bill--he might have killed him and cleared off. But this Marshall must tell us; that's if he can be made to tell."
"I'll force it out of him," Mr. Cass said, grimly. "Those sleeve-links, for instance; he has to explain how he came to lose one at the Turnpike House. I remember after Marshall went away from here the housemaid brought me the pair enamelled the pack of cards and the horse, which she said Mr. Marshall had left in his room. I thought he must be tired of them, and that he had probably taken the other pair with him by mistake. So I put those he had left into my desk, and I thought no more about it. When Mildred wanted a brooch for her doll I separated them and gave one to the child--the one with the horse. The one with the pack of cards I left on my table, intending to give it to Ethel."
"I have the champagne bottle link which was dropped under the window," Geoffrey said. "Now, what has become of the other one, the ballet, girl?"
"No doubt that also will be found at the Turnpike House," said Mr. Cass. "I must tell you that the fastening of the links was somewhat worn, and that a slight tug would have, broken them. In putting his arm through the window to grasp the knife, which Mrs. Jenner says was on the table, I daresay Marshall's cuff caught in a nail and the links were torn apart. Both would have fallen to the ground. One has been found, the other, no doubt, is still on the ground."
"In that case we must make a search to-morrow," said Geoffrey, rising.
"No, we must see Marshall first," Mr. Cass said, very decidedly. "I would go over with you to-night; but that would make Inez suspicious. I do not want her to know anything of all this. And, after all, we may be mistaken; but he must give us an explanation. I will write a note to him this evening and ask him to come over to-morrow. You call here, Heron, at eleven o'clock, and we will force the truth out of him."
"Very well, I think that would be best. I hope he will be able to exculpate himself. If Mrs. Marshall should get to know----"
"She would fight for her husband tooth and nail. You don't know what a tigress my sister is when she is roused; the Spanish blood, I suppose. By the way," he went on, looking at Heron with a faint smile. "I am half Spanish, too, and no doubt I am credited with a fiery temper Confess, now, Heron, you thought from my silence that I had killed this man?"