“We must assume that Gordon has told the truth, of course, and that he left Tilly Lancey alive just before midnight.”
“Certainly.”
“And that he immediately hastened home?”
“I have no doubt of it.”
“How, then, came the blood on his garments?”
“Bear in mind, Chick, that it is not Tilly Lancey’s blood,” said Nick. “It is some that was obtained for this job. The crooks knew that human blood would be required, as tests would surely be made after the crime; but they overlooked the fact, or were ignorant of it, that tests would reveal the difference between it and that of their victim.”
“You now think, I infer, that the blood was drawn from the veins of Cora Cavendish.”
“I do,” Nick nodded. “Only a small quantity would have been required. It could have been easily obtained by an incision in one of the veins of her arm, and received in a small vial.”
“But when and how could it have been spattered upon Gordon’s garments, to say nothing of the smooches in his overcoat pocket?”
“Easily,” said Nick.