“Of course she had to admit it in order to clear the way for a statement implicating Marsland in the crime,” said Crewe.
“That was not her motive. After thinking over all that happened, she decided that by shielding herself from idle gossip she might be helping unconsciously to shield the murderer.”
“And she told you everything,” said Crewe.
“Everything,” said Sergeant Westaway emphatically.
“She told you why she was waiting at the farm on the night that Lumsden’s dead body was brought there?”
“She went there for shelter from the storm,” explained the confident sergeant. “That would be after the body was brought there—if your theory is correct, Mr. Crewe; and after he was shot in the house—if our theory is correct. Our theory is that Captain Marsland, after committing the crime, went outside the house to hide the traces of it—probably to get rid of these boots and revolver, which he threw down the well.”
“It hasn’t occurred to you, sergeant, that these things may have been placed in the well within the last few days in order that you might find them there?” said Crewe.
“Who would place them there?” asked Gillett coming to the rescue of the sergeant with a poser.
“I think you asked me just now what Miss Maynard was doing at the farm two days ago,” said Crewe.
“And you think that there may be some connection between her visit there and these things?”