“Oh, don't take it back!” said Randall. “I like it. And don't bite your little brother's head off either. That isn't a bit necessary. It is perfectly true—one might say obvious—that I have no alibi, but then Superintendent Hannasyde, who is quite as quick in the uptake as Guy, if not quicker, probably realised that for himself some time ago. If you look carefully at him you will observe a slight hint of annoyance—one might almost say chagrin—in his face. That is because he, unlike Guy, has also realised that my entry into the ranks of suspects hasn't eliminated all other suspects, but has merely enlarged the field.”
Hannasyde had listened to this with an unmoved countenance. He said in his impersonal way: “That is quite true, Mr Matthews. But at the same time —”
“Moreover,” continued Randall, lighting another cigarette, “you have no better case against me than you have against anyone else. It is true that I have inherited quite a lot of money, but the most cursory investigation into my affairs will convince you (in spite of the belief current amongst my relations that I have run through a fortune) that I stand in no need of my uncle's money.”
“That may also be true,” said Hannasyde. “Nor do I propose to go into the matter with you at this particular moment.”
Randall looked round the room. “No, there is rather a crowd,” he agreed. “Stella, my lamb, let us withdraw, and perhaps that will put it into Aunt Gertrude's head that she is not really wanted here.”
He clasped his fingers round her wrist as he spoke, and drew her towards the door. Sergeant Hemingway looked quickly at the Superintendent, but Hannasyde made no sign. Mrs Lupton began to say that she expected nothing but rudeness from Randall, but before she could finish her severe and well-worded speech he had gone.
In the hall he paused, and looked down at Stella, the smile lingering about the corners of his mouth. “Well, my love?” he said. “Why didn't you tell the police that you found me coming out of uncle's bathroom?”
“I don't know,” said Stella childishly.
“Let us go into the morning-room,” he said. “I have a much worse question coming.”
Stella allowed herself to be led into the morning-room, but said: “Well, only for a minute, then. I—I can't stop long.”