"What money?" "My property, I presume, for which she was scheming." "Well, and did Madame Alpenny see this person?" "No. She went to Hampstead about six and returned home after ten." "Quite time enough for her to travel to Cookley and back in order to commit the murder," said Spruce coolly. "Did you see the letter?" "No. She had torn it up." "Fudge!" cried the Nut inelegantly. "There never was such a letter. She invented that yarn so as to account for her presence elsewhere on the night of the crime. She did murder Squire Evans. You heard what Peter said?" "Oh, yes. And I have heard what Simon said. I am bound to say," said Hench with emphasis, "that his story is much the same." "Well then, with two witnesses, what more proof do you want of the woman's guilt?" demanded Spruce indignantly. "I fancy I have earned my money. What do you say, Vane?" "I say we had better have Simon in and hear his story," retorted the barrister dryly. "It is just as well to get everything made quite plain." "So I think," declared the Nut briskly. "Call him in, Hench." With great calmness the young man did so, not at all disturbed by the imperious tone in which the order was given. This was Spruce's little hour of triumph, so both the visitors allowed him to control the situation while he was able. Bottles made his appearance quickly, and cap in hand stood before the closed door, waiting to be interrogated. With his freckled face and red hair he looked anything but prepossessing. At least he did not in the Nut's eyes, who failed to observe the good-humoured expression and intelligent gaze of the lad, which were worth much more than mere animal comeliness. Spruce, in the attitude of an examining judge, surveyed the boy superciliously and immediately began to question him. "You are to tell these gentlemen what you told me," he commanded. "Now, on the first of July you followed Madame Alpenny to the Liverpool Street Station?" "Yes, sir. She caught the five o'clock train to this place." "And you followed?" "I did, sir. I wished to see what her game was." "One moment," interpolated Hench at this remark. "I may mention that I also came to Cookley on that night by that train. I had an idea that Madame Alpenny was at my elbow. In fact, I fancied that I caught a glimpse of her in the crowd at Liverpool Street Station. But I thought that I was mistaken." "You wasn't mistaken, sir," said Bottles calmly. "She was in the crowd, sure enough, and went down by that train. So did you, sir, for I saw you, and dodged." "Good!" said Spruce, rubbing his hands. "This unsolicited testimony of yours, Hench, emphasizes the fact of the woman's guilt. Go on, Simon."