“It is quite obvious,” Julian said unexpectedly, “that you intend to make Mrs. Crawford responsible for Colonel Blake’s death, Mr. Belknap. I feel called upon to ask you to keep your suspicions, even such proof as you may have, until a moment more in keeping with judicial etiquette.”
Belknap flushed darkly.
“Don’t be too hard on our detective, Mr. Prentice,” Nadia cried. “He does not suspect Mrs. Crawford of this ghastly affair, but he very much wishes he did. And the wish has been father to the possibility. He really suspects me. Therein lies the difficulty.”
“Spare the noble gesture, Nadia.” Whittaker was standing in the door. “I suspect you myself when you go altruistic. Ah, Belknap! in your element I see! I can’t believe it. Blake murdered! That it should have happened in my house. Terrible! John said he was unable to rouse Romany with his knock, so I sent one of the maids to her room. And I gave orders for the servants to wait in the hall. Does that meet with your approval, Belknap? I shall sit down, if I may. Last night and this morning, taken together, are more than is good for me.”
As he sank heavily into a chair there was a windy bustle at the front door, a careless, strident laugh, and a stamping of feet, that in its sincere disrespect for the traditions and restraint of Thorngate, announced the arrival of the police. Belknap stepped toward the library door.
“This way, Sergeant. We have been waiting for you.”
“Don’t Sergeant me, Belknap,” came a pleasant, resonant answer from the hall; and a man of medium stature, with clear, blue eyes and gold-bronze hair, faced him in the doorway. “Your humble servant. It’s nice to see you again. I’m only sorry for one thing, that you have the jump on me as usual.”
“Berry! Why, land alive, where did you come from? Don’t worry about being a step behind me. There’s going to be plenty for both of us. Come in. Whittaker, you know Lieutenant Berry. There’s only one other in the room important enough for you to meet at the moment. Berry, this is Colonel Blake. Colonel, Lieutenant Berry has come to see what he can do for you.” Belknap indicated the body with a motion of his hand. “You brought a doctor? It will be convenient to know about when death occurred.”
“Yes. Doctor Giles is here. Giles,” he called. “Get on the job, will you? Come along in, Sergeant. This is Sergeant Stebbins, Ordway Belknap; Belknap, Sergeant Stebbins. Now, old man, what’s the story? The sooner we catch the scent the better. When did you arrive?”
“Before the trouble began. That may help us, and it may not. What do you say, Whittaker? Shall I—”