“I agree with you that Thomas is a cad, and I don’t believe old Winter had anything to do with it. And I don’t think there was any need for him to tell the police. But he probably did it, as he said, in order to get the police on our side.”
“And now they’ll all be off full cry after Winter. I suppose they will want to arrest him next.”
Ellery shook his head. “Hardly, without more evidence than they possess. But they will probably have him watched.”
There was a further silence, during which Joan continued to walk fast, staring straight in front of her. At last she said, “I’ve been thinking, and I’m sure I see what we ought to do. So far we have only been trying to prove that my stepfather did not do it. We’ve succeeded. But at this rate we shall all of us be suspected in turn. There’s only one thing for it. There will be no peace and quietness till some one finds the criminal. I don’t believe the police will ever find him. Why shouldn’t you and I find him ourselves? We haven’t done badly so far.”
Ellery whistled. “That’s a much taller order than proving your stepfather’s alibi,” he said. “But I’m game. There certainly won’t be much peace for any of us till somebody finds out who did do it. But I’m dashed if I know how to begin.”
“Neither do I, at present. We have to think it all out, and make a fresh start. Come home with me, and we’ll start planning it at once.”
“They say two heads are better than one, and I’m prepared to be your very faithful follower. But you’ll have to be Sherlock Holmes, I’m afraid.”
“Come along then, Watson. But try not to be as stupid as your namesake.”
Chapter XXIV.
A Fresh Start
“Well, where do we stand now?” said Superintendent Wilson, as he turned back into the room after showing his visitors out.