The facts which pointed to Berlyn’s guilt were sixfold:
1. Berlyn in all probability was consumed by jealousy, one of the strongest of human motives for crime.
2. Berlyn had an unparalleled opportunity for the deed, which only he could have arranged.
3. It was not easy to see how anyone but Berlyn could have handled the magneto affair.
4. Berlyn had the necessary position in the Veda Works to carry out the watchman and stock-card episodes.
5. Berlyn answered the description of the man who had called for the crate.
6. Berlyn had disappeared, an incomprehensible action if he were innocent.
As French thought again over the accomplice, he recognised that here was the snag in his theory. Motives of personal jealousy and private wrong leave no room for an accomplice. Moreover, it was incredible that a man who had shown such ingenuity could not have devised a scheme to carry out the crime single-handed.
But though French recognised that there were points in the case as yet unexplained, he saw that his own procedure was clear. He must start the search for Berlyn and he must learn the identity of the accomplice.
The first of these was easy. He had compiled a pretty accurate description of the junior partner and Daw had got hold of his photograph. A note in the Police Gazette would start every police officer in the country on the search.