“Not without some facts,” said Lomas. “When did he leave the Hall?”
“After Mark was arrested. May 13. And he disappeared on the evening of the second day of the trial.”
“That would be when it looked certain that Mark would be found guilty. Why did he wait till then?”
Sir Brian laughed. “If I knew that, I suppose I shouldn’t be here. I’m asking you to find him.”
“Quite, quite,” Lomas agreed. “The local police knew of his disappearance at once?”
“I said so. I wish I had known as soon. The police didn’t bother to mention it at the trial. It might have made some difference to the verdict, Mr. Lomas.”
“That’s matter of opinion, of course,” said Lomas. “I wasn’t in England myself. I needn’t tell you that it’s open to the defence to appeal against the conviction.”
“Is it?” Sir Brian’s shadowed eyes grew smaller. “You don’t know Mark, Mr. Lomas. If I were to tell you Mark refuses to make an appeal on this ground because it would be putting the murder on the butler, what would you say?”
“Good Gad!” was what Lomas did say. He lay back and put up his eyeglass and looked from Sir Brian to Reggie and back again. “You mean Mark admits he is guilty?”
“Guilty be damned,” said Sir Brian. “No, sir, I mean Mark liked the wretched fellow and won’t hear of anything against him. Mark’s a fool. But that’s not a reason for hanging him. I say you got your conviction by suppressing evidence. It’s up to you to review the case.”