solution to a problem, when the easy solution
had no flaw in it. But at the same time Birch would have preferred the
difficult solution, simply because there was more credit attached to
it. A "sensational" arrest of somebody in the house would have given him
more pleasure than a commonplace pursuit of Mark Ablett across
country. Mark must be found, guilty or not guilty. But there were other
possibilities. It would have interested Antony to know that, just at the
time when he was feeling rather superior to the prejudiced inspector,
the Inspector himself was letting his mind dwell lovingly upon
the possibilities in connection with Mr. Gillingham. Was it only a
coincidence that Mr. Gillingham had turned up just when he did? And Mr.
Beverley's curious answers when asked for some account of his friend.
An assistant in a tobacconist's, a waiter! An odd man, Mr. Gillingham,
evidently. It might be as well to keep an eye on him.

CHAPTER VI. Outside Or Inside?

The guests had said good-bye to Cayley, according to their different
manner. The Major, gruff and simple: "If you want me, command me.
Anything I can do--Good-bye"; Betty, silently sympathetic, with
everything in her large eyes which she was too much overawed to tell;
Mrs. Calladine, protesting that she did not know what to say, but
apparently finding plenty; and Miss Norris, crowding so much into one
despairing gesture that Cayley's unvarying "Thank you very much" might
have been taken this time as gratitude for an artistic entertainment.

Bill had seen them into the car, had taken his own farewells (with a
special squeeze of the hand for Betty), and had wandered out to join
Antony on his garden seat.

"Well, this is a rum show," said Bill as he sat down.

"Very rum, William."

"And you actually walked right into it?"

"Right into it," said Antony.

"Then you're the man I want. There are all sorts of rumours and
mysteries about, and that inspector fellow simply wouldn't keep to the
point when I wanted to ask him about the murder, or whatever it is, but
kept asking me questions about where I'd met you first, and all sorts of
dull things like that. Now, what really happened?"

Antony told him as concisely as he could all that he had already told
the Inspector, Bill interrupting him here and there with appropriate
"Good Lords" and whistles.

"I say, it's a bit of a business, isn't it? Where do I come in,
exactly?"

"How do you mean?"

"Well, everybo