“Undoubtedly!” insisted the Russian. “I shall go one step further. Let us consider the history of this case: After Mrs. Breese’s divorce, Mr. Rice scorned her husband, whom he had known for many years, and sided with the lady. Is that natural? No. Men do not break friendship under such circumstances. And behold: When Mrs. Breese is dead, the two men are friends openly once more. What does that suggest to you? Remember, Breese was anxious for a reconciliation. To me it suggests that the two men only pretended to quarrel during the divorce trial. Rice sided with Mrs. Breese so as to be in a position to influence her. That’s why he so violently opposed her marriage to the actor. Remember, he did not intend marrying her himself. There was no question of love between this man and the woman. What then was his motive in coming down here with her and campaigning so strenuously against the actor? Obviously, he wanted her to remarry his friend Breese. “Now, mark this--Breese calls you to his hotel before the murder and warns you against the actor. Rice comes to the house, after the murder, and the first thing he does is to accuse the actor. He produces telegrams from the detective agency (hired by Breese) and tells you about the forged check. I hold no brief for the actor, but I don’t think he forged that check. I think Breese did himself. But observe how in every development of the case Breese and Rice work together, and yet apart--what does that suggest?” “Do you mean to say that Rice took part in the murder, or knew about it beforehand?” Smith asked skeptically. “No,” said the Russian. “I believe Breese unburdened himself to his friend after the murder, threw himself upon Rice’s mercy, and Rice has been doing everything he can to save his friend. And if in the process the actor gets hurt why, I should think that Rice would be the type to accept such a miscarriage of justice with the comforting reflection that Mr. Thomas would get only what he deserved.” “For that matter,” replied Smith, “I can build up the same case against you!” “Against me?” exclaimed the Russian. “Certainly,” said Smith. “You are protecting your friend, the Count. He was not only in the house at the time of the murder, but he actually confessed to it, after consulting you. You have been hammering away on old man Breese. Why? If I use the same logic you do, I could say--to protect your friend.” The Russian laughed. “You have me there, Mr. Smith,” he admitted admiringly. “It had never occurred to me. But you’re not serious?” “No,” said Smith. “I’m not serious about any theories. And this case seems to me to consist of nothing else. I’m looking for something definite, something tangible.” The Russian picked up Smith’s summary and studied it once more.