"Oh, yes, there is Saul Parker, an epileptic boy; but he is out of the question."
"Why out of the question?" asked Percivale, persistently.
"Why, because—because—my good sir, why are you out of the question, the thing is just as absurd," answered Claud, almost crossly.
"Is it? I wonder," said Percivale, thoughtfully. "We shall soon see, if you can answer a few more of my questions for me. To begin—I am out of the question because it can be proved that I was not in Edge Valley at the time either crime was committed. Can you say as much for this Saul Parker?"
"No, of course he was in the place at the time, but the whole idea is absurd. He is gentle, tractable, most beautiful in face, and sat to Miss Allonby as a model for a picture Mr. Fowler now has——"
"Where was he at the time Mr. Allonby was attacked?" coolly continued his interrogator.
"Where was he? I——" a sudden memory burst upon Claud of Mrs. Battishill's kitchen when he first beheld it.
"He was in the kitchen of Poole Farm," he answered, triumphantly, "for I saw him there myself. I think that proves the alibi all right."
"Did you see him there before or after the attempted murder?"
"After—naturally."