“A man who lives at Rowton Heights with a moustache,” said Nance, laughing somewhat unsteadily. “You must surely be mistaken, for I know everyone in my own house. The servants, of course, do not wear hair on their faces. In fact, no one wears a moustache except my husband.” She stopped, and looked with dilated eyes at the detective.
“That is true, Mrs. Rowton. No one wears a moustache but your husband, Adrian Rowton.”
“What can you mean? You look at me in a very queer way. What is your meaning? Speak.”
“I mean this, Mrs. Rowton. I have discovered this: your husband, Adrian Rowton, is also known as Silver, the leader of the Silver Mob or School. This man, madam, is the one who murdered Anthony Follett many years ago!”
“This man, Madam, is the one who murdered Anthony Follett many years ago!”—[Page 276.]
There was a silence in the room which might almost be felt when Crossley ceased speaking. Nancy’s voice broke into it after a moment. She laughed—her laugh was wild and a little unsteady.
“My husband!” she said. “How dare you say that to my face? Do you think for one moment I believe you?”
“I knew it would be a blow to you, madam.”
“It is no blow; you are absolutely mistaken. Anything else might have been a blow, but not that. My husband kill my young brother! My husband take a man’s life! Oh! come—this is too much.”