“It’s all right, you may talk here,” said Fletcher testily.
“Well, sir, you remember that I told you that when I heard that Mr. Halley speaking it reminded me of something. I have been worrying over it, and it has all come back to me now. I am quite certain that it was he who was in the room with Lord Reckavile when he was murdered. It was his voice we heard. It came through two doors and was muffled, but there is no mistaking his tone.”
Fletcher started back; here was news indeed.
“Are you absolutely certain, Brown?” he said “remember this is of the very utmost importance, you must not make a mistake.”
“I am certain,” said the constable doggedly.
“And I’ll tell you another thing, sir, when I found those two men in the library, although I only had a glimpse, I am nearly positive one of them was Halley.”
“Can you swear to that?” said Fletcher gripping the other’s arm in his excitement.
“No, sir, I can’t swear to that, only in my own mind I am pretty sure.”
“Well, we have something to go upon at last,” said Fletcher. “Not a word of this to anyone. We must get some more details. I knew that fellow with his superior manners and hypocritical ways was a crook, though why he should make love to a penniless girl like Ena Sefton, is beyond me.”
But if he had hit at last on the real criminal, there was something still hidden. What could be more stupid than for a man to commit a murder, and then remain on in the village for no reason, unless …