"Either?" protested Neville. "You've lost count. She's told three to date."
"I think we need not consider Mrs. North's first story. If her second story, that she left the study at 10.01, just before Fletcher returned to it, was correct, the man seen by the Constable cannot have had time to commit the murder. If, on the other hand, it is true that she herself killed Fletcher -'
Helen raised her head. "It's true. Must you go on? Why don't you arrest me?"
"I warn you, I shall strenuously deny my alleged part in your unprincipled story," said Neville.
"I never suggested that you were my - my accomplice!" Helen said. "You didn't know why I wanted you to take the paper-weight back!"
"Oh no, and I wouldn't guess, would I?" said Neville. "And to think that in a misguided moment I told the Sergeant I was your accomplice! I can almost feel the cruel prison bars closing round me. Sally, I appeal to you! Did your unspeakable sister give me a paper-weight on that memorable night?"
"Not in my presence," replied Sally.
"She would hardly have done so in your presence, Miss Drew," said Hannasyde.
"Good God, you don't believe that story?" Sally exclaimed. "Are you suggesting that Mr. Fletcher was in it too? Next you'll think I had a hand in it! Is no one immune from these idiotic suspicions of yours?"
"No one who was in any way concerned in the case," he replied calmly. "You must know that."