The man turned without another word and went out between his captors.
CHAPTER VII.
Vance Reaches a Conclusion
(Saturday, April 2; 3.30 p. m.)
When we were again alone in the drawing-room Vance rose and, stretching himself, went to the window. The scene that had just been enacted, with its startling climax, had left us all somewhat dazed. Our minds were busy, I think, with the same idea; and when Vance spoke it was as if he were voicing our thoughts.
“We’re back in the nursery, it seems. . . .
“ ‘I,’ said the Sparrow,
‘With my bow and arrow,
I killed Cock Robin.’ . . .
I say, Markham; this is getting a bit thick.”
He came slowly back to the centre-table and crushed out his cigarette. From the corner of his eye he looked at Heath.
“Why so pensive, Sergeant? You should be singing roundelays and doing a joyous tarantella. Has not your villain confessed to the dark deed? Does it not fill you with gladness to know that the culprit will soon be languishin’ in an oubliette?”
“To tell you the truth, Mr. Vance,” Heath admitted sullenly, “I’m not satisfied. That confession came too easy, and—well, I’ve seen a lot of guys come across, but this one somehow didn’t act like he was guilty. And that’s a fact, sir.”