A simple message, but it meant much to me. I regarded it as a proof that her hurried journey was not a flight, but a mere coincidence.
Mary had a post-card, too, from Calais; just a few words with the promise of a letter at the end of the journey. She showed it to me when I called round at Chelsea on Monday evening to say good-bye once more. The inquest opened that morning, and was adjourned for a week. Only formal and preliminary evidence was taken—my own principally; and I was able to arrange to leave next day. Inspector Freeman made the orthodox statement that “the police were in possession of a clue which they were following up;” and I had a chat with him afterwards, and tried to ferret out about the clue, but he was close as wax.
We parted on the best of terms, and I was certain he did not guess that my interest in the affair was more than the natural interest of one who was as personally concerned in it as I was, with the insatiable curiosity of the journalist superadded. Whatever I had been yesterday, I was fully master of myself to-day.
Jim was out when I reached Chelsea, somewhat to my relief; and Mary was alone for once.
She welcomed me cordially, as usual, and commended my improved appearance.
“I felt upset about you last night, Maurice; you weren’t a bit like yourself. And what on earth did you mean in the drawing-room—about Anne?” she asked.
“Sheer madness,” I said, with a laugh. “Jim made that peg too strong, and I’m afraid I was—well, a bit screwed. So fire away, if you want to lecture me; though, on my honor, it was the first drink I’d had all day!”
I knew by the way she had spoken that Jim had not confided his suspicions to her. I didn’t expect he would.
She accepted my explanation like the good little soul she is.
“I never thought of that. It’s not like you, Maurice. But I won’t lecture you this time, though you did scare me! I guess you felt pretty bad after finding that poor fellow. I felt shuddery enough even at the thought of it, considering that we knew him, and had all been together such a little while before. Has the murderer been found yet?”