"No," replied Mary, correctly guessing the identity of that fellow. "He isn't going till all this has been cleared up."
"Do you mean the police have refused to let him go?"
"I don't think so. Aunt Ermy asked him if he would stay."
The muscles about his jaw seemed to harden. "I get it. Can I see Ermyntrude?"
"Yes, I expect she'll be very glad to see you," replied Mary. "Only, if it's all the same to you, I'd rather you didn't pick a quarrel with the Prince. We've got enough to contend with already."
"Don't be a fool!" said Steel shortly. He looked frowningly down at her. "What was this precious Prince doing when Carter was shot?"
"He was at Dr Chester's house."
"Seems to me the police might look into his movements before badgering me. I suppose the truth is that the case is beyond their capabilities."
This, though merely a remark occasioned by annoyance, was the conclusion Inspector Cook had rather despairingly reached. He had come away from Palings with enough evidence to make him feel hopeful of a speedy result to his investigations, but a quiet study of this evidence, coupled with several conflicting circumstances, had shaken his confidence.
He was a zealous officer, and he had lost no time in interrogating Percy Baker. He guessed that Baker would leave Fritton on Sunday evening, or very early on Monday morning, since he worked at the larger, manufacturing town of Burntside, some twenty miles from Fritton; and he forwent his supper in order to catch this important witness.