The Greek, anxious to know how matters were proceeding, had made an appointment with Jasher at a Soho restaurant after the theatre, and was now at the supper-table looking more haggard and lean than ever with his blazing eyes and funereal looks. Disappointed at being deprived of Mrs. Brand's fortune, Bocaros--as Laura surmised rightly--was angry with Arnold for having obtained it. The remarks he had made in the young man's presence were mere fault-finding words, as he had no reason, on the face of it, to suspect him of being connected with the crime. Moreover, Arnold's ready acceptance of Jasher as an agent to search out the matter must have done away with all idea that he was guilty. No man would be such a fool as to put a bloodhound of the law on his own track, and when he had succeeded in gaining his end without danger. But when Jasher made the above remark Bocaros looked at him eagerly.
"That is my idea," he declared quickly. "I have no grounds to go upon. But Calvert is engaged to Miss Mason. In her brother-in-law's house Flora was killed, so he must know something."
"Oh, I don't see that," mused Jasher; "you go too fast, professor. Of course those facts, and the fact that he gets a large income, may seem suspicious, but being engaged at the theatre every night puts his guilt out of the question. But to learn all I can about Calvert, I have asked his understudy to come to supper." Jasher glanced at his watch. "He'll be here soon, and then we can talk."
"From your description," said Bocaros, who stuck to his point, "Calvert is the young man who spoke to Mulligan."
"I think that. He has the clothes and the beard described by the officer. But if he was the man, he would hardly be such a fool as to retain such a make-up."
"Yes, he would," persisted Bocaros; "safety often lies in danger. If Calvert had changed his make-up and a description had appeared in the papers, suspicion would have been excited."
"True; but no description appeared, or only a vague one."
"Calvert did not know that. He thought it best to keep to his make-up, trusting that people--who are generally stupid--would never connect his stage appearance with that of the man in real life. He is the man, I am sure, and he came out of the house."
"But it doesn't say he killed Mrs. Brand."
"He had ten thousand a year to gain by doing so."