“I think just this, Joan. I think I know now who did it.”
Joan gave a gasp. “You know who did it!” she repeated.
“Well, I don’t know; but I think I have a very good idea.”
“Do you mean you’ve got some evidence at last. Who was it, Bob? Tell me.”
“No, I haven’t any fresh evidence yet. I’ve just been thinking. But I believe it was”—Ellery paused—“Carter Woodman.”
Joan gave a half-cry of surprise. “Bob, Bob, you can’t mean that. Whatever makes you say such a thing? My dear boy, it’s quite absurd.”
“Why is it absurd, Joan?”
“Well, Carter’s a member of the family, and one of our oldest friends, and—but what’s the use of discussing it? Why, he was here yesterday.”
“He may be here to-day, dear; but I don’t see what that has to do with it.”
“But Carter’s been helping the police all through. He’s——”