“Now, speaking candidly, Graham, have you any doubt that it is Douglas?”
“None.”
“Why?”
“Well—for the simple reason that I believe he is dead.”
“That’s an evasive answer. Tell me the reason.”
“Unfortunately, I cannot divulge secrets entrusted to me, Mr Hugh. You may, however, at once rest assured that I am absolutely ignorant both of the motive of the terrible crime and the existence of any one likely to commit it. If I possessed any such knowledge, of course, I should communicate with the police without delay,” the old gentleman said calmly.
“Then you refuse to state your reasons?” exclaimed Trethowen, a trifle annoyed.
“I do, most decidedly. All I can tell you is that I knew your brother had returned from abroad; and, as a matter of fact, he wrote making an appointment to meet me yesterday, but did not keep it.”
“From that you conclude he is dead?”
“Combined with various other circumstances.”