"You have made a study of the subject, Miss Drew," he answered non-committally.
"Of course I have. But my own opinion is that Neville doesn't suffer from that kind of conceit. You can say it was a piece of diabolical cunning, if you like, but there again there's an objection. There was no reason why you should suspect the paper-weight more than any other of the weapons there must be at Greystones. So why should he have brought it to your notice?"
"Perverted sense of humour," supplied Neville. "The murderer's freakish turn of mind. I shall soon begin to believe I'm guilty. Oh, but just think of me murdering a man for his millions! No, I won't subscribe to it: it's a repulsive solution to an otherwise recherche crime."
"Yet it is, I believe, a fact that your financial condition, at the time of your uncle's death, was extremely precarious?" said Hannasyde.
North, who had been standing behind his wife's chair in silence, intervened at this, saying in his even way: "That question, Superintendent, should surely not be put to Mr. Fletcher in public?"
Neville blinked. "Oh, isn't that sweet of John? And I quite thought he didn't like me!"
Hannasyde said, with something of a snap: "Quite right, Mr. North. But as, at the outset of this interview, I made it plain that I wished to interrogate him in private, and he refused to allow Miss Drew to leave the room, you will agree that discretion on my part would be quite superfluous. I am, however, still prepared to see Mr. Fletcher alone, if he wishes it."
"But I don't, I don't!" said Neville. "I should dither with fright if closeted with you alone. Besides, Miss Drew is acting as my solicitor. I shouldn't dare to open my mouth if she weren't here to check my irresponsible utterances."
"Then perhaps you will tell me whether I am correct in saying that you were very awkwardly placed, as regards finance, at the time of your uncle's death?"
"Well, no," answered Neville diffidently. "I didn't find anything awkward about it."