11.45. Seen by witness of unknown occupation at the top of Whitehall and followed by him up Cockspur Street and Regent Street, as far as the corner of Jermyn Street.
12 midnight. Seen by night-porter entering the Byron Club (the porter is positive he did not go out again).
When the last witness had withdrawn the superintendent looked at his notes.
“What do you make of it now?” asked Thomas. The reply, unhesitatingly given, was that the alibi seemed to be conclusive.
“I admit,” said the superintendent, “that for a time we were barking up the wrong tree. There remain, of course, to be explained the telephone message and the presence of your client’s stick. I don’t say that we shan’t have to test even the alibi further—some of your witnesses are of rather doubtful character. But personally I admit that I have no doubt about it; indeed, quite apart from the alibi, I had already made up my mind on other grounds that your client was innocent. Your discoveries merely confirm my opinion.”
“Then you agree,” said Thomas, “that my client ought to be released.”
“Before you answer that question, sir,” put in Inspector Blaikie, “may I have a word? I admit that what we have just heard is very powerful testimony; but surely the telephone message proves that Mr. Brooklyn was in the house, and therefore that there is something wrong with the alibi. To say nothing of the stick. I hope you won’t agree to a release at least until there has been time to look into the matter further.”
The superintendent rose from his chair. “You will excuse us for a moment,” he said to the others, and he beckoned to the inspector to follow him into the adjoining room. “My dear inspector,” he said, when he had shut the door, “you will kindly leave me to manage this affair.”
The inspector replied, “Certainly, sir”; but he added, half to himself, “All the same, I believe he did it.”
“I shall order release—I mean I shall announce that the prosecution is withdrawn, and get the man released as soon as possible. To my mind the alibi is quite convincing. But, even apart from it, I was going to tell you this morning that I proposed to recommend Walter Brooklyn’s release. I will explain my reasons when the others have gone. You leave it to me.”