“On the contrary, Colonel Domlio, I have evidence that Mr. Berlyn was acutely jealous.”
But the colonel was not to be drawn.
“That is news to me,” he declared.
“Well,” said French, doggedly, “I should like to have your definite statement as to whether such jealousy would or would not have been justified, in so far, at all events, as you yourself were concerned.”
The colonel smiled sardonically.
“I should say that it would not have been justified.”
“Very good, Colonel. I have now only one other request to make. I should like to interrogate your servants. Some of them may have seen or heard something which might be useful to me. Would you oblige me by calling them in and instructing them to reply to me?”
For the first time an uneasy look appeared in the colonel’s eyes.
“Surely that is unnecessary?” he demurred. “What could they possibly tell you?”
“Nothing, I very greatly fear,” French admitted. “But it is a routine enquiry and as such I dare not omit it.”