“Now, Roper,” he said, “that’s the whole truth?”
“All I know,” answered Roper. “Can’t say one word more, master.”
“You’ll stand by it?” demanded Blick.
“Stand by every word I’ve said,” affirmed Roper.
“It comes to this,” continued the detective, turning to the Professor. “We’ve heard now of a man who was in Guy Markenmore’s company the evening before the murder, and who knew that Guy would be on the downs at four o’clock next morning. Who is that man?”
“Probably the man his clerk told me about,” answered the Professor. “That’s my opinion, anyway.”
“Well, let’s be going,” said Blick. “I’ll see you again, Roper—you’ve no doubt put us on the track of something.”
But the Professor lingered.
“Look here, my man,” he said, turning to the woodman. “You know the Mitre Hotel, at Selcaster? Very good—I’m staying there. Come and see me there, tonight; there’s my card—ask for me. If you want to emigrate I’ll find you the money. Tonight, mind, any time you like after eight o’clock.”
He nudged Blick’s elbow and hurried him away out of the wood before Roper could thank him, walking at a great pace until he and his companion were once more on the hill-side.