“I had a letter from Dr. Shively recently, calling my attention to the fact that Barclay, in his deposition to the coroner here and read at the inquest on Tilghman in Atlanta, omitted all mention of his whereabouts at the time Tilghman was poisoned. As every passenger even remotely connected with the affair, proved his alibi, Barclay’s omission was surprising.”
“But he said last night that he was sight-seeing,” interposed Ethel, in a vain endeavor to combat what reason told her was the truth.
“Neither Shively or I caught a glimpse of him about the station,” said Norcross gravely. “And Shively writes that he has questioned many of the passengers, porters, and railroad officials at Atlanta and all state they did not see a man answering his description. Until Shively’s letter arrived, I have thought the Jap, Ito, guilty, but now after last night”—he paused and contemplated her thoughtfully. “I am forced to believe that Julian Barclay must be involved in the crime also.”
Ethel shaded her face with her hand. “Your reasons?” she demanded.
“We both saw him talking to Ito last night.”
“Mr. Barclay admitted at luncheon that he had found Ito here,” Ethel was dogged in her determination to exonerate Barclay.
“True; but when I asked him if he had not come face to face with the Jap, he denied it, and you and I saw him talking with the Jap, and his words: ‘Ito, I have no more money to spare,’ bear but one interpretation.” Norcross laid his hand on hers. “Miss Ogden, I am hurting you cruelly—it grieves me to inflict pain.”
Ethel smiled bravely, but as she met the sympathy in his kind eyes, her own brimmed over. She dashed the tears impatiently away. “It is better that I face the situation,” she said. “Why did Julian bring up the subject of the burglar at luncheon, why mention the Jap at all?”
“Because,” Norcross lowered his voice. “I believe he knew we were watching him.”
“Oh!” Ethel’s thoughts flew to her miniature; Barclay had not stopped to get it on returning from the interview with the Jap, and he had not inquired for it since. He must have seen her that night and supposed she had taken it.