Hilton is equally entitled to maintain that it was less than ONE
hour old. Neither of them can hope to prove his case."
"If either of them could?"...
"It might make a difference to the evidence--but I'm not sure."
"What time is your appointment?"
"Ten o'clock," replied Dunbar. "I am meeting Mr. Debnam--the late Mr.
Vernon's solicitor. There is something in it. Damme! I am sure of it!"
"Something in what?"
"The fact that Mr. Vernon died yesterday evening, and that his wife was
murdered at midnight."
"What have you told the press?"
"As little as possible, but you will see that the early editions will
all be screaming for the arrest of Soames."
"I shouldn't wonder. He would be a useful man to have; but he's probably
out of London now."
"I think not. He's more likely to wait for instructions from his
principal."
"His principal?"
"Certainly. You don't think Soames did the murder, do you?"
"No; but he's obviously an accessory."
"I'm not so sure even of that."
"Then why did he bolt?"
"Because he had a guilty conscience."
"Yes," agreed Sowerby; "it does turn out that way sometimes. At any
rate, Stringer is after him, but he's got next to nothing to go upon.
Has any reply been received from Mrs. Leroux in Paris?"
"No," answered Dunbar, frowning thoughtfully.
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