Jack reeled and gripped the mud-guard of the car for support, then his eyes strayed to the opening in the wall which ran on the seaward side of the road. He walked to the parapet and looked over, and the first thing he saw was a torn hat and veil, and he knew it was Lydia's. Chapter XXXVIII Mr. Briggerland, killing time on the quay at Monaco, saw the _Jungle Queen_ come into harbour and watched Marcus land, carrying his lines in his hand. As Marcus came abreast of him he called and Mr. Stepney looked round with a start. "Hello, Briggerland," he said, swallowing something. "Well, have you been fishing?" asked Mr. Briggerland in his most paternal manner. "Yes," admitted Marcus. "Did you catch anything?" Stepney nodded. "Only one," he said. "Hard luck," said Mr. Briggerland, with a smile, "but where is Mrs. Meredith--I understood she was going out with you to-day?" "She went to San Remo," said Stepney shortly, and the other nodded. "To be sure," he said. "I had forgotten that." Later he bought a copy of the _Nicoise_ and learnt of the tragedy on the San Remo road. It brought him back to the house, a visibly agitated man. "This is shocking news, my dear," he panted into the saloon and stood stock still at the sight of Mr. Jack Glover. "Come in, Briggerland," said Jack, without ceremony. There was a man with him, a tall, keen Frenchman whom Briggerland recognised as the chief detective of the Préfecture. "We want you to give an account of your actions." "My actions?" said Mr. Briggerland indignantly. "Do you associate me with this dreadful tragedy? A tragedy," he said, "which has stricken me almost dumb with horror and remorse. Why did I ever allow that villain even to speak to poor Lydia?" "Nevertheless, m'sieur," said the tall man quietly, "you must tell us where you have been." "That is easily explained. I went to San Remo." "By road?" "Yes, by road," said Mr. Briggerland, "on my motor-bicycle." "What time did you arrive in San Remo?" "At midday, or it may have been a quarter of an hour before." "You know that the murder must have been committed at half-past eleven?" said Jack. "So the newspapers tell me." "Where did you go in San Remo?" asked the detective. "I went to a café and had a glass of wine, then I strolled about the town and lunched at the Victoria. I caught the one o'clock train to Monte Carlo." "Did you hear nothing of the murder?" "Not a word," said Mr. Briggerland, "not a word." "Did you see the car?" Mr. Briggerland shook his head. "I left some time before poor Lydia," he said softly. "Did you know of any attachment between the chauffeur and your guest?" "I had no idea such a thing existed. If I had," said Mr. Briggerland virtuously, "I should have taken immediate steps to have brought poor Lydia to her senses." "Your daughter says that they were frequently together. Did you notice this?"