“Because of that missing dope about fluorine gas and Calabar bean, and his own past history?” McCarty demanded. “Because he’d already been convicted of poison—!”
“Stop!” Mr. Parsons rose. “Christopher was innocent of that old charge and he was equally innocent of the crimes which have been committed this past week! He was mistaken in his sense of duty, but not a murderer!”
CHAPTER XVIII
CHECKMATE!
McCarty left the Parsons house a few minutes later, his mind a chaos of conflicting impressions. With the sonorous, dignified tones still ringing upon his ear and the deeply concerned gaze yet seemingly bent upon him Benjamin Parsons appeared the epitome of rectitude and righteousness, but had he been as certain of Porter’s innocence as he claimed, and was he as ignorant of where he had gone?
He crossed the street to Orbit’s house and glanced again into the court between that and Goddard’s. Max was still there, but he had lain down as though exhausted and his ribs, glistening with the rain, showed pitifully gaunt. Why didn’t they take the poor fellow in? McCarty stopped and spoke coaxingly to him. The dog slowly rolled his lack-luster eyes upon him but made no other response.
For a long minute McCarty stood thoughtfully regarding the dog. When, at last, he continued on his way there was a curiously absent look upon his face.
Ching Lee admitted him and took him to the library where he had first been received. A small fire of some strange, peat-like fuel was burning on the hearth, sending out iridescent flames and a faint pervasive odor as of sandalwood, and before it Orbit was seated, with a stout, florid man in tweeds.
“Good-morning, McCarty. I rather thought that you or the inspector would look in on me this morning.” Orbit turned to his guest. “Sir Philip, this is Deputy McCarty, the official who is working with Inspector Druet on the investigation into this hideous mystery.”
Sir Philip Devereux nodded to the ex-roundsman cordially.
“Shocking affair, this! Shocking!” he commented. “Here for a little private chat with Mr. Orbit, what? I’ll leave you—”