Part 15 (1/2)
”No evidence anybody ever opened that window from the outside. If they had, Sir Reginald would have heard them.”
”Well,” said Ned, getting back into the room, ”there are no finger marks anyhow.”
”The body being found near the door certainly seems to be in favour of Mr. Rattar's opinion,” observed the superintendent.
”I thought Mr. Rattar had formed no opinion yet,” said Cromarty.
”No more I have,” grunted the lawyer.
The superintendent looked a trifle perplexed.
”Before Mr. Cromarty had come in, sir, I understood you for to say everything pointed to the man having come in by the door and hit Sir Reginald on the head as he came to see who it was when he heard him outside.”
”I merely suggested that,” said Simon Rattar sharply. ”It fits the facts, but there's no definite evidence yet.”
Ned Cromarty had turned and was frowning out of the window. Now he wheeled quickly and exclaimed:
”If the murderer came in through the window while Sir Reginald was in the room, either the window was standing open or Sir Reginald opened it for him! Did Sir Reginald ever sit with his window open late at night at this time of year?”
”Never once, sir,” said Bisset confidently. ”He likit fresh air outside fine but never kept his windies open much unless the weather was vera propitious.”
”Then,” said Ned, ”why should Sir Reginald have opened the window of his own accord to a stranger at the dead of night?”
”Exactly!” said Mr. Rattar. ”Thing seems absurd. He'd never do it.”
”That's my own opinion likewise, sir,” put in Bisset.
”It's only common sense,” added the superintendent.
”Then how came the window to be unfastened?” demanded Ned.
”I've suggested a reason,” said Simon.
”As a blind? Sounds to me d.a.m.ned thin.”
Simon Rattar turned away from him with an air that suggested that he thought it time to indicate distinctly that he was in charge of the case and not the laird of Stanesland.
”That's all we can do just now, Sutherland,” he said. ”No use disturbing the household any longer at present.”
Cromarty stepped up to him suddenly and asked:
”Tell me honestly! Do you suspect anybody?”
Simon shook his head decidedly.
”No sufficient evidence yet. Good morning, Mr. Cromarty.”
Ned was following him to the door, his lips compressed and his eyes on the floor, when Bisset touched his arm and beckoned him back.