“This was just such a case as we discussed before we started. There was no evidence to convict Graham, so nothing remained but a trap. I played on the theory that a guilty man will see a subtle trap in everything. He saw through my tricky method of getting his finger-prints, though not all the way through it. But he was too alert and too subtle to see the trap I set for him, just because it was so obvious and so clumsy.”
Landis forgot his own discomfiture in open admiration.
“It was a wonderful piece of work, sir!”
Bernard frowned.
“Nonsense! Graham was clever though, and a really gifted actor. Sending for us in the first place was a bold touch. But he knew there was no evidence to convict him. What’s more he was right! Also, consider that attack on me in the garden! If his shot missed, he’d know nothing about it. If it struck and killed me, his position would be just the same. He would know nothing about it but his theory would be that the desk had moved or the arrow had swerved and the whole thing was a most regrettable accident. In fact, he had warned us against the experiment!”
“Not as clever as you were,” Landis retorted. “What a fine detective I turned out to be!”
Bernard laughed.
“You blazed the trail and I skimmed the cream and there’s a mixed metaphor to suit anybody!”
Elsa suddenly stirred in her chair.
“Well, anyhow, I’m glad it’s over,” she sighed.