“With the house on fire?” Penfield concealed a smile behind his hand.
“It does not take long to steal with the coast clear. The fire was on the second floor, remember,” argued Barclay. “He evidently locked the drawing room door to force Ogden and his guests to seek egress from the room by the hall, and thus minimize the risk he ran of being discovered by a chance encounter, which might have occurred had some of the guests fled through the drawing room.”
“It is an ingenious theory,” commented Penfield slowly. “Where were you during the fire?”
“Searching for Ito.”
“And did you find him?”
“No; I could find absolutely no trace of him,” observing Penfield’s expression, Barclay added hastily, “The Jap saw me, saw that I recognized him, and, I believe, gave up his well arranged plan and bolted, escaping unseen in the confusion.”
“That may be so,” Penfield silently contemplated Barclay for a short moment. “Did anyone else see the Jap?” he inquired more briskly.
“I don’t know; they have not spoken of it to me.”
“Why have you not told all this to Mr. Ogden?”
“For two reasons,” Barclay spoke with deliberation. “Mr. Ogden told me he had no time to listen to my theories this morning, and I received notification soon after that I was to testify here this afternoon. I have not seen Mr. Ogden to talk to in the interval.”