The duke gave a moment to considering the matter—still detachedly.
“It is, on the whole, not unlikely that something of the sort might suggest itself to the criminal mind,” he said. And his glance at Mr. Palford intimated that he might resume his statement.
“We have secured proof that he applied himself to secret investigation. He is known to have employed Scotland Yard to make certain inquiries concerning the man said to have been killed in the Klondike. Having evidently reached more than suspicion he began to endeavor to persuade Mr. Strangeways to let him take him to London. This apparently took some time. The mere suggestion of removal threw the invalid into a state of painful excitement—”
“Did Pearson tell you that?” the duke inquired.
“Captain Palliser himself in passing the door of the room one day heard certain expressions of terrified pleading,” was Mr. Palford's explanation.
“I heard enough,” Palliser took it up carelessly, “to make it worth while to question Pearson—who must have heard a great deal more. Pearson was ordered to hold his tongue from the first, but he will have to tell the truth when he is asked.”
The duke did not appear to resent his view.
“Pearson would be likely to know what went on,” he remarked. “He's an intelligent little fellow.”
“The fact remains that in spite of his distress and reluctance Mr. Strangeways was removed privately, and there our knowledge ends. He has not been seen since—and a few hours after, Captain Palliser expressed his conviction, that the person he had seen through the West Room window was Mr. James Temple Barholm, Mr. Temple Temple Barholm left the house taking a midnight train, and leaving no clue as to his where-abouts or intentions.”
“Disappeared!” said the duke. “Where has he been looked for?”