Cramer nodded impatiently. “I know. You have something to say, Dr. Morley?”
“I have. Something vital.”
“Let’s hear it.”
Morley got better settled in his chair. “First, I assume that no arrest has been made. Is that correct?”
“Yes — if you mean an arrest with a charge of murder.”
“Have you a definite object of suspicion, with or without evidence in support?”
“If you mean am I ready to name the murderer, no. Are you?”
“I think I may be.”
Cramer’s chin went up. “Well? I’m in charge here.”
Dr. Morley smiled. “Not quite so fast. The suggestion I have to offer is sound only with certain assumptions.” He placed the tip of his right forefinger on the tip of his left little finger. “One: that you have no idea who committed this murder, and apparently you haven’t.” He moved over a finger. “Two: that this was not a commonplace crime with a commonplace discoverable motive.” To the middle finger. “Three: that nothing is known to discredit the hypothesis that this girl — I understand from Mrs. Orwin that her name was Cynthia Brown — that she was strangled by the man who strangled Doris Hatten on October seventh last year. May I make those assumptions?”