“Davies was an invalid. How did he get up these stairs?”
“With difficulty, sir. I used to help him up, and sometimes Mr. Audley helped me,” was the ex-butler’s reply. “At poker he was marvelous. I’ve seen poker played in several families in whose service I’ve been, but I never saw a finer player. He was more like a professional than an ordinary player for amusement.”
“And your tenant, Mr. Audley?”
“He was a fine player, of course. He used to have friends in at night and sometimes they would play till dawn.”
“And did Mr. Graydon never play?” I asked.
“Very seldom; the parties usually took place when he was away.”
It was quite evident that Stanley Audley, alias Graydon, was a person of mystery and his friends were as mysterious as himself. After a moment’s reflection I decided to take Belton fully into my confidence and tell him the whole story.
“Now, look here, Belton,” I said, “you may be able to help me considerably. I will tell you the whole story so far as I know it, and perhaps you will be able to remember further facts that may help.”
So I related to him everything that had happened since I first met Stanley Audley and his bride at Mürren.
Belton listened in silence. When I had finished he asked me one or two questions.