“Dr. Cumberly,” replied Dunbar, “is entitled to his opinion, that the injection in the woman's shoulder was at least eight hours old; whilst Mr. Hilton is equally entitled to maintain that it was less than ONE hour old. Neither of them can hope to prove his case.”

“If either of them could?”...

“It might make a difference to the evidence—but I'm not sure.”

“What time is your appointment?”

“Ten o'clock,” replied Dunbar. “I am meeting Mr. Debnam—the late Mr. Vernon's solicitor. There is something in it. Damme! I am sure of it!”

“Something in what?”

“The fact that Mr. Vernon died yesterday evening, and that his wife was murdered at midnight.”

“What have you told the press?”

“As little as possible, but you will see that the early editions will all be screaming for the arrest of Soames.”

“I shouldn't wonder. He would be a useful man to have; but he's probably out of London now.”