Sir Clinton seemed to be pondering over Armadale’s version of the affair. At last he gave his own view.
“A jury wouldn’t look at that evidence,” he pointed out.
“I don’t suppose they would,” Armadale admitted. “But there may be more to come yet.”
“I expect so,” Sir Clinton agreed.
He rose as he spoke, and, followed by the Inspector, went down to the edge of the lakelet.
“No luck yet?” he inquired.
“None, sir. It’s a very difficult bottom to work a grapnel over. It sticks three times out of four.”
Sir Clinton watched the line of the drag which they were making.
“It’ll take a while to cover the ground at this rate,” he commented, noting the smallness of the area they had searched up to that moment.
As he turned away from the water-side, he noticed Cecil Chacewater approaching round the edge of the lakelet, and leaving the Inspector to superintend the dragging, he walked over to meet the newcomer. As he came near, he could see that Cecil’s face was sullen and downcast.