“I am not quite clear about it yet,” I remarked. “You said there was no special reason assigned for Thoyne’s action in making Tulmin his steward at double pay, but now—”
“Oh, yes, I was not quite clear. Mr. Thoyne did not give Tulmin any reason when he offered him the job. It was afterwards that he explained what he had in mind—to make sure that nothing got out regarding Calcott. Indeed, I am not quite sure that he actually explained in so many words. But he knew about Calcott—Tulmin is sure of that—and perhaps Tulmin jumped to the conclusion that that was his motive.”
“Yes, I dare say it would puzzle Tulmin to know why Thoyne should appear so friendly.”
I made up my mind at all events that I would interview Tulmin myself. Not that I had any specific aim in view. But it would at least be useful to learn all I could regarding Clevedon’s past. Stillman’s story had opened new possibilities. If Tulmin could recognise Clevedon as Calcott, others might have done so. It might easily be that one would have to go back into those dead years to solve the mystery of the Clevedon tragedy. And among those possibilities was Thoyne. He may have known Clevedon in America and have had good reason, quite apart from their rivalry for Kitty Clevedon’s affections, to desire his death.
At all events I determined that I would have an interview with Ronald Thoyne before many hours were out. I felt that I had a legitimate grievance against him. He had known more about Tulmin and Clevedon than he had ever told me and though he had invited me to investigate the mystery, he had given me only a half-confidence. I could at least teach him a lesson on that, I thought rather grimly, besides which, somewhere at the back of my mind was a queer suspicion that Thoyne had deliberately thrown me off the scent, telling me, with every appearance of frankness, much that did not matter, but remaining stubbornly reticent on several things that did.
CHAPTER XXII
MORE ANONYMOUS LETTERS
I sent Stillman back to keep an eye on Tulmin until I could myself interview him and then set myself to arrange a meeting with Thoyne. He was staying at White Towers and I had no difficulty in finding him.
“Hallo!” he cried. “You look very serious, Holt. What is the matter? Have you made a fresh discovery?”
“Yes,” I said, “I have.”
“Well, cheer up. I can’t say you look pleased about it.”