"Rather crudely expressed, perhaps," said the solicitor, peering
over the top of his glasses, "but you have the idea. I come now to my
client's awakening. Four days ago, he learned the truth; he learned that
he was being deceived!"
"Deceived!"
"Mrs. Vernon, thoroughly exhausted with irregular living, announced
that she was about to resort once more to the healing breezes of the
heather-land"--Mr. Debnam was thoroughly warming to his discourse and
thoroughly enjoying his own dusty phrases.
"Interrupting you for a moment," said the inspector, "at what intervals
did these visits take place?"
"At remarkably regular intervals, Inspector: something like six times a
year."
"For how long had Mrs. Vernon made a custom of these visits?"
"Roughly, for two years."
"Thank you. Will you go on, sir?"
"She requested Mr. Vernon, then, on the last occasion to give her a
check for eighty pounds; and this he did, unquestioningly. On Thursday,
the second of September, she left for Scotland"...
"Did she take her maid?"
"Her maid always received a holiday on these occasions; Mrs. Vernon
wired her respecting the date of her return."
"Did any one actually see her off?"
"No, not that I am aware of, Inspector."
"To put the whole thing quite bluntly, Mr.
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