“When I get the chance,” replied Anthony, “I think I shall be able to show you at least one other stone just like these four little fellows that I’ve taken from the coal-scuttle—I can’t now—the Inspector and Clegg may be back at any minute.” He walked to the French doors and looked out—then turned back to Daventry. “There they come,” he exclaimed. “That stone, Bathurst,” cut in Peter hastily. “Is _in this room_,” replied Anthony, “but not a word for the time being.” Clegg stepped into the room, immediately followed by Goodall. To Daventry’s amazement, Anthony went straight over to them. “Well, Inspector, what did you make of the matter of O’Connor’s bicycle?” “You rather take my breath away, Mr. Bathurst,” said Goodall very quietly. “Permit me to return your question—what did you?” “I had no doubt you would pick it up,” he said, “and I’ll answer your question quite frankly.” He walked across to the bookcase, and standing with his back to it had his three hearers in front of him, Peter on his right, and the two officers on his left. “O’Connor’s bicycle, gentlemen, was used last night to carry somebody from this house into Assynton. In my opinion it carried the murderer of Stewart—if not the murderer, certainly his or her accomplice—but I fancy the murderer.” He watched the three faces to see the effect of his opinion. Goodall became critical at once. “Who placed the bicycle in the shed then?” he asked cautiously. Bathurst’s reply came just as quickly. “The murderer, of course.” Goodall screwed up his face as though unconvinced. “You mean, then, that the murderer returned—that the murderer lives——” Anthony interrupted him. “I mean that if my theory holds good—that the _murderer_ used the machine and not an accomplice—he is either in this house now or very near it. He or _she_.” But Goodall stuck to his guns. “But why go away to come back again?—that’s what beats me.” “More than one reason might supply a reasonable answer to that question, Inspector. The murderer may have wished to hide something, for instance. He may have gone to meet somebody even. Thirdly, he may have gone to deliver an important message.” He paused to consider the three possibilities he had named. Then looked straight across to Goodall. “I am inclined to the third suggestion myself, Inspector. Rather strongly as a matter of fact.” He came away from the bookcase, giving Peter Daventry an impression—vague perhaps—that the final word had been spoken. Goodall shook his head rather doubtfully. “Theories are all very well in their way, Mr. Bathurst—but if I were to go chasing after all the theories I have put in front of me—I should be well set to work—can’t you give me something more definite on which your theories have been based—something more tangible?”