"Darling Mary, are you trying to send me to the gallows?" asked Vicky reproachfully.
"Of course I'm not, but one must be fair, and I saw the Prince leave the house on Sunday afternoon."
"If he did it," said Vicky, "he'd laid his plans long before Sunday. Probably on Saturday."
"Did he go into the gun-room on Saturday?" asked Hugh.
"Yes, of course he did. I shouldn't be at all surprised if he took the rifle at dead of night, and hid it somewhere. In fact, it would be a good thing to assume that he did, and then work it out from that point'
"If you don't mind my putting in a word, miss, before you take the gentleman's character clean away," said the Inspector mildly, "I would like to point out that according to all the evidence I've heard so far, Mr. White didn't invite your stepfather until Sunday morning."
"Oh well, we can easily get round that!" replied Vicky. "I expect Alexis just hid the rifle in case it should come in handy. After all, my stepfather was bound to go out for a stroll sometime or other, and I do definitely feel that Alexis is a very thoughtful person and would have had everything ready just on the off-chance."
This was too much, even for the Inspector, and he looked round for his hat. Mary said: "I wish you wouldn't talk in that irresponsible way, Vicky! It's absolutely actionable!"
"Oh, is it? Could I be had up for libel, or something?" asked Vicky, her eyes brightening.
"Now look what you've done!" said Hugh, addressing Mary. "No, Vicky, no! Don't start seeing yourself in the witness-box, causing strong jurymen to shed tears of pity for you!"