“Exactly. But I have certain reasons for believing the clandestine meeting to have taken place,” I said.
“What causes you to give credence to the story?”
“Statements made to me,” I replied vaguely. “And further, all the evidence points to murder.”
“Then why did the jury return an open verdict?”
“It was the best thing they could do in the circumstances, as it leaves the police with a free hand.”
“But who could possibly have any motive for the poor little woman’s death?” he asked, with a puzzled, rather anxious expression upon his grey brow.
“The lover may have wished to get rid of her,” I suggested.
“You speak rather ungenerously, Boyd,” he protested. “Remember, we don’t know for certain that there was a lover in the case, and we should surely accept the rumours of country yokels with considerable hesitation.”
“I make no direct accusation,” I said. “I merely give as my opinion that she was murdered by the man she was evidently in the habit of meeting. That’s all.”
“Well, if that is so, then I hope the police will be successful in making an arrest,” declared the old physician. “Poor little woman! When is the funeral?”