“You have been extremely clever in your theories, but you have not been quite clever enough. I don't wish to be unkind, but you have lacked imagination. This is not some comparatively small affair; it is by no means a vendetta; it is by no means a quarrel over a woman. “It is an affair in which half the participators act in blind ignorance. There are possibly only three people in existence who can throw any light on the matter. And they occupy such a position in this world that it would be extremely unwise for you to take any steps without their sanction.” “I don't know who are concerned in the matter,” said the detective. “It is that of which I complain.” “And I,” answered Westerham, “am not in a position to enlighten you.” “One thing, however, I can tell you,” said the detective, “and that is that however he may be indirectly concerned in this murder, Melun himself did not actually commit it. I have already ascertained that he was in his club at the time.” If he expected Westerham to betray the slightest surprise, Rookley was disappointed. For although, as a matter of fact, he was astounded at this information, Sir Paul continued to stare at his interrogator in stony and unemotional silence. “Indeed!” was the only remark he made. Mr. Rookley rose and rang the bell, and when the servant appeared, asked him to request Mr. Moore to step upstairs. A few minutes later Mr. Moore, the young detective whose acquaintance Westerham had made at his rooms in Bruton Street the day before, came briskly into the room. “Mr. Moore,” said the detective, solemnly, “we must do our duty. “It is our task to charge this gentleman with being concerned in this business.” Westerham turned his hard, stern eyes on Moore, and the man felt uncomfortable. “Very well, sir,” he said, looking at his chief. “Stop!” cried Westerham, “before you do so, I want to ask you one or two questions. You, of course, are responsible to the Commissioner?” Rookley nodded. “And the Commissioner is responsible to the Home Secretary?” Rookley nodded again. “And the Home Secretary is, to a certain extent, responsible to the Prime Minister?” Once more Rookley nodded. “That being so,” Westerham continued, “will you allow me to ask you if you have ever known even as bad a business as this hushed up for high political motives?” Rookley started and stared at him. “Oh, I see you have,” said Westerham. “This is not Russia, sir,” remarked Mr. Rookley. “No,” said Westerham, “but, on the other hand, Russian methods are not wholly unknown in this country.” It was Mr. Rookley's turn to look uncomfortable now. “Now,” continued Westerham, “you have warned me. I want to warn you. In dealing with me you are dealing with no ordinary person. I assure you that by my silence I am doing my duty by the State, although I practically know no more what this means than you do. I give you my word on that.