“Because Mensmore is normal and this crime abnormal. Because the man who would blow out his brains on account of losses at pigeon-shooting never had brains enough to dispose of the body in such fashion. Because Mensmore, having temporarily changed his name for some trivial reason, would never resume it with equal triviality with this shadow upon his life.”
“Then why have you told me all these things that tell so heavily against him?”
“In order that, this time at least, you may feel that the production of a pair of handcuffs does not satisfactorily settle the entire business.”
“I promise there shall be no more arrests until this affair is much more decided than it is at present.”
“Good. I shall make a detective of you after my own heart in time.”
“Yet I cannot help being surprised at the very strange fact that his own sister should seem to suspect him!”
“Ah! Now you have struck the true line. Why did she have that fear? There I am with you entirely. Let us ascertain that and I promise you an important development. Mrs. Hillmer and Mensmore are both concerned in the disappearance of Lady Dyke, yet neither knew that she had disappeared, and both are deeply upset by it, for Mrs. Hillmer flies off to warn her brother, and the brother posts back to London the moment it comes to his ears through her. There, you see, we have a key which may unlock many doors. For Heaven’s sake let it not be battered out of shape the instant it reaches our hands.”
But Mr. White was quite humble. “As I have told you,” he said, “I have done with the battering process.”
“I am sure of it. And now listen to the most remarkable fact that has yet come to light. Lady Dyke’s body was taken from Raleigh Mansions to Putney in a four-wheeler. The cabman was forthwith locked up by the police and clapped into prison for three months. He was released yesterday, and will be here within the next quarter of an hour.”