VAUD AND VAUD.
Here, indeed, was food for reflection. That the instrument with which the crime had been committed should come into the detective's possession was extraordinary; but that it should have been left anonymously at the rooms of the murdered man was inconceivably audacious. Fanks at once returned to the chambers, and closely questioned Maxwell and Robert. It struck him that the latter might have had a hand in placing the mysterious parcel in the letter box.
"I examined the box an hour ago, sir," said Maxwell, "as you told me to look after all letters. There was nothing in it then. It must have been placed in it since."
"While we were in the sitting-room, no doubt," said Garth. "Do you know anything of this, Robert?"
"I, sir? Lord, no, sir; I never set eyes on it before."
"We left ten minutes ago," remarked Fanks. "What have you been doing since that time."
"I have been with Mr. Maxwell, sir."
"Was he with you all the time, Maxwell?"
"Yes, sir," replied the policeman in great alarm. "He came out into the kitchen, and we was together for a chat; then I thought it was near post time, and I goes to the box. I found that parcel, and as I knowed you couldn't be far off I ran down stairs."
This explanation was perfectly satisfactory, yet for the life of him, the detective could not help looking at Robert with suspicion. However, as he had not been out of Maxwell's company, he could not possibly have put the parcel in the box, therefore Fanks was reluctantly compelled to believe in his innocence.