(Saturday, April 16; noon)
The professor was plainly perturbed when we entered the library that noon. He sat in an easy chair with his back to the window, a glass of his precious port on the table beside him.
“I’ve been expecting you, Markham,” he said, before we had time to speak. “There’s no need to dissemble. Drukker’s death was no accident. I’ll admit I felt inclined to discount the insane implications arising from the deaths of Robin and Sprigg; but the moment Pyne related the circumstances of Drukker’s fall I realized that there was a definite design behind these deaths: the probabilities of their being accidental would be incalculable. You know it, as well as I; otherwise you wouldn’t be here.”
“Very true.” Markham had seated himself facing the professor. “We’re confronted by a terrific problem. Moreover, Mrs. Drukker died of shock last night at almost the same time her son was killed.”
“That, at least,” returned the old man after a pause, “may be regarded as a blessing. It’s better she didn’t survive him—her mind unquestionably would have collapsed.” He looked up. “In what way can I help?”
“You were probably the last person, with the exception of the actual murderer, to see Drukker alive; and we would like to know everything you can tell us of what took place last night.”
Professor Dillard nodded.
“Drukker came here after dinner—about eight, I should say. Pardee had dined with us; and Drukker was annoyed at finding him here—in fact, he was openly hostile. Arnesson twitted him good-naturedly about his irascibility—which only made him more irritable; and, knowing that Drukker was anxious to thrash out a problem with me, I finally suggested that he and I stroll down to the park. . . .”
“You were not gone very long,” suggested Markham.
“No. An unfortunate episode occurred. We walked up the bridle path to almost the exact spot where, I understand, the poor fellow was killed. We had been there for perhaps half an hour, leaning against the stone balustrade of the wall, when Pardee walked up. He stopped to speak to us, but Drukker was so antagonistic in his remarks that, after a few minutes, Pardee turned and walked away in the direction he had come. Drukker was very much upset, and I suggested we postpone the discussion. Furthermore, a damp mist had fallen, and I was beginning to get some twinges in my foot. Drukker straightway became morose, and said he didn’t care to go indoors just yet. So I left him alone by the wall, and came home.”