[MISS ARNOTT IS EXAMINED]
Mr Stacey put a question to Mr Gilbert.
"Have you got rid of her?"
"Very much so. Stacey, I must see Miss Arnott at once, the sooner the safer. I'm afraid she did it."
"Do you mean that she killed that fellow in Cooper's Spinney? I don't believe a word of it. What's that woman been saying?"
"It's not a question of belief but of fact. I'll tell you afterwards what she's been saying. What we want to do is to get at the truth. I fancy we shall do it if you let me have a few minutes' conversation with your young friend. If she didn't do it I'll do my level best to prevent a hair of her head from being injured, and if she did I may be able to save her. This is one of those cases in which, before I'm able to move, I must know just where I am standing."
"You seem to have an ethical standard of your own."
"A man in my line of business must have. Where's Miss Arnott?"
"I'll take you to her. She's expecting you. I told her you'd like to have a little talk with her. But, mind this, she's anything but well, poor girl! I believe she's been worried half out of her mind."
"I shouldn't wonder."