“I do not. I mean that there are people who will think,—who are already thinking there’s reason to direct their inquiries toward—toward your aunt.” Bates stared; “Aunt Letitia?” he said, half understandingly; “she didn’t do it.” “I don’t think she did!” Dorcas was irritated at his bewilderment. “But I tell you the detectives think so!” “Oh, Dork, what awful rot! Dear child, you must keep out of this affair. It makes you crazy.” “I’m not crazy! But you’re blind. I tell you, Rick, the detectives _do_ suspect Miss Prall,—I heard them tell mother so,—and you _must_ wake up and look into things.” “I should say so!” Bates seemed to get awake all at once. “You heard this, Dorcas? I’m glad you told me. Go home, dear, and I’ll look up Gibbs or Corson at once!” CHAPTER XII One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney. Peters was also there, packing up the personal effects of the dead man preparatory to vacating the apartment. As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present. “Thought I’d dig around a bit,” Gibbs vouchsafed, “but there’s no indicative evidence that I can find. No papers of an incriminating sort, no sign of any special woman friend—or feminine enemy, for that matter.” “Never mind generalities or suppositions. Look here, Mr Gibbs, what about my aunt’s connection with this matter?” Gibbs looked up quickly. “Just what do you mean by that?” “Only that I’ve heard that you are considering the possibility of her being implicated. Are you?” “I’m considering any possibility I can find to consider. Yes, since you ask me, I am looking into the question of your aunt’s connection with the case. I know you want me to be frank.” “I do. Have you any real evidence to work on?” “Only talk. Only somewhat vague reports that I have yet to investigate.” “Reports, no doubt, from Mrs Everett, my aunt’s longtime foe.” “Yes, that’s the source of the hints I had given me. But Mrs Everett does not accuse your aunt——” “She’d better not!” “Oh, she doesn’t. But the matter must be looked into, for there is a motive, and your aunt——Really, I can’t discuss this thing with you, Mr Bates!” “But you must. I’m in charge,—I’m going to find out who killed my uncle. I admit I hadn’t a great desire to know his murderer, when I supposed it was some girls or women with whom he was mixed up in a frivolous way. But if my aunt’s name is so much as breathed, of course, I must discover the real murderer to save her reputation. She no more did it than I did,—but I daresay the people who suspect her would also implicate me!” “Don’t speak like that. I’ve only a hint to go upon, and though I must follow it up, it’s an easy matter, no doubt, for all your aunt’s household to state an alibi and that settles it.”