“Do tramps in this country carry revolvers?”
“Not usually. But since the war many of the men discharged from the army do.”
“There you’ve said it. Many of the officers who have been discharged carry revolvers, but not the men. They have got used to doing it. At the front only officers carry revolvers. And Marsland is an officer—a captain. He was a captain in the London Rifle Brigade, in the battalion to which Frank and I belonged.”
“Oh!” There was a note of dismay in the exclamation of surprise. “Does he know you, Arnold?”
“I was not one of his company, but of course he knows me.”
“Did he know Frank? Do you think he knew Frank when he saw his dead body in the room?”
“Of course he knew Frank. Frank was in his Company.”
“He did not say anything to me about this as we walked home,” said Elsie thoughtfully. “And perhaps he has not told the police. It is very strange.”
“There is nothing strange about it. He had good reasons for saying nothing.”
“You think he shot Frank? Why should he commit such a crime?”