“The shears?” Judith glanced up and then looked quickly away. “You think Austin was stabbed with the shears?”
“Evidently, for there was no other weapon.”
“No other weapon has been found,” Judith corrected him softly. “The murderer may have carried it off with him.”
“True,” acknowledged Richards, “but then how came the shears to have blood on them? For what purpose were they used?”
Judith’s breathing seemed suspended for an infinitesimal second, and several minutes elapsed before she spoke.
“I am not good at solving problems.” She twirled his seal ring, which she had given him, about on his finger. “Have you heard Uncle John’s theory that Austin was killed by a burglar?”
Richards regarded her fixedly for a minute. “Is that so!” he exclaimed. “And what leads him to suspect a burglar?”
“Austin’s gold watch is missing.” Judith felt his arm slip down about her shoulders, and his weight rested against the cushioned back of her chair. “Also, Father found some papers missing from his safe.”
“He did—when?” The question shot from Richards.
“Sometime Thursday. I don’t know exactly when.” Judith caught his intent gaze, and while her heart beat a bit more rapidly, she continued to look directly at him.