Part 18 (1/2)
”He has!” cried Darcy.
”Yes, he called at the court house and begged that it be given to him.
Said it was an ancient timepiece, which he had owned for many years, and as it could have no connection with the crime they let him take it.”
”Oh, well, I suppose that was all right. No, Singa Phut didn't have a thing to do with the killing, I'm positive of that.”
”And his _alibi_ is perfect,” said the colonel. ”Well, I guess you've told me all I want to know. You haven't any reason to suspect any one, have you, Darcy?”
”Not a soul! G.o.d knows I wouldn't want to name any one, either, much as I'd like to get out Of here myself.”
”Mrs. Darcy had no enemies?”
”Not a one in the world that I know of. She was a friendly woman. Of course, that was good business policy. No, she had no enemies. Most people liked her.”
”So I've heard. Well, we'll get at the truth somehow. Now brace up.”
”I'm trying to, Colonel.”
”Well, try harder. When I go to see Miss Mason--”
”You are going to see Amy?” cried the prisoner eagerly.
”Yes. But if I have to tell her you looked as though you had lost every last friend you had in the world--”
”It's all right, Colonel. Tell her you saw me--laughing!” and Darcy did manage to utter what _might_ pa.s.s for a laugh. It was a good attempt.
”Good! That's better, though there's room for improvement,” said the detective. ”Now, I'll leave you. I have lots to do.”
”I'm sorry. Colonel, to put you to all this trouble--”
”Pooh! Now I'm in it there's no trouble that's too much. I'll get about the same fun out of this as I would if I fished--and I'll fish with greater enjoyment later on--when I've cleared you.”
”I hope you do, Colonel. And if there's anything I can do--”
”Thanks, but Miss Mason has already arranged to have me whip her father's trout stream when this case is over, and that's reward enough for me. Now, sir, one last word to you!” and the colonel a.s.sumed the military appearance that so well befitted him. ”Stop worrying!”
”I'll try, Colonel!”
”Don't try--do it.”
”One question.”
”Well, one only. What is it?
”Do you think Mr. Grafton--”
The detective smiled and shook his finger at Darcy.
”You just let _me_ do the thinking!” he advised as he turned to go out.