"I wasn't trying to stab him in the back!" retorted Mottisfont. "All I said was -"
"What you meant us to infer was obvious!" said Joseph. "I should have thought that after all the years you've known Stephen -"
"I don't say that he stabbed Nat!" said Mottisfont, a spot of colour on his cheekbone. "It's not my business to find out who did that! I'm only saying that the most likely person to have picked up the case was its owner! Of course, I know very well you Herriards always stick together, but I'm not a Herriard - I'm just a plain man, and I object to the fantastic idea you're trying to foster, that someone else pocketed a valuable case which didn't belong to them!"
"Edgar, old friend, if anything I've said gave you the impression that I was in league with Stephen against you -"
"Nothing I have said could have given you that impression," interpolated Stephen.
"Hush, Stephen! - if I've given you that impression, I heartily beg your pardon! I never for one moment meant to insinuate that you had touched the case!"
It was generally felt that Joseph had now surpassed himself; but it was plain, from his guileless countenance, that he had no notion of having said anything that might have been more felicitously expressed. Mathilda would have allowed the matter to rest. Stephen, however, said sardonically: "Why stop there? Whom do you suspect of having taken my case?"
"Stephen! Why will you always take me up wrongly? I don't suspect anyone! Good gracious, how could I possibly -"
"This is the most useless discussion I've ever taken part in!" declared Paula. "Are we to sit up all night while you and Joe make fools of yourselves? I'm tired to death, and I'm going to bed!"
This last announcement was flung at the Inspector's head. He said nothing to dissuade her. He was feeling tired too; he wanted to consider the case quietly; and he , could not think that a prolongation of his investigations into the night-watches would yield any very valuable results. Like many laymen, he had a deep faith in the skill of specialists, and his dependence was now placed on the findings of the police experts. He said formally that he had no further questions to put to anyone.