“Well, it wouldn’t. Your word, after that speech, isn’t worth the effort it takes to speak it, as you must see for yourself. Why don’t you try to realize that that sort of talk won’t get you anywhere, nor help the girl either. Why don’t you try to understand that to find the real murderer is the only thing to free Miss Remsen, and the only way to do that is to investigate.” All of a sudden, I saw myself for a silly fool. “You’re right, March,” I said, earnestly; “and I’m going to try.” “That’s more like it,” he applauded. “Come on, we’ll work together.” CHAPTER XVII AMES TAKES A HAND “I’ve just read a detective story, where a sweet young girl was the criminal, after all,” Maud said, contributing an argument to our conversation. It was Sunday, the day after the Tracy funeral. As we sat on the porch, after the midday dinner, Ames came along and joined our group. “Well, Mr. Moore,” he said, “unless you consider yourself engaged by me on the Tracy case, and you certainly have never given me to understand that, I am ready to call the deal off.” “Why?” Keeley said, offering him a cigar. “Principally because the evidence seems so strong against Alma Remsen, and I’ve no wish to see that girl convicted.” “Why not?” “First, because she isn’t guilty, and second, because, if she were guilty, I don’t want to be in any way instrumental in bringing it home to her.” “You’d compound a felony——” “Oh, rubbish! But, yes, of course, I’d compound a felony rather than raise a finger to help establish her guilt.” “What makes you think she is guilty?” “I didn’t say I thought she was guilty, I said the evidence seems to point that way. But evidence doesn’t always point to the truth, by any means.” “Very true. Have you any other suspect?” “I’m not looking for suspects. I want to get away from the whole business.” “Yet only a few days ago, you wanted me to investigate this matter at your direction and at your expense.” “I know it. But I’ve changed my mind. I want to go away, to go back home. If I’m needed for any purpose, you can always find me. I’m not going to disappear.” “I don’t think you’ll be wanted by the authorities, Mr. Ames, if that’s what you mean. I have crossed you off my list of suspects and I think Detective March has done the same. However, you will speak to them, of course, before you leave town.” “Oh, certainly. And, Mr. Moore, I’ve been doing a bit of looking about on my own. I don’t know that it will be of help or even interest to you, but I’ve satisfied myself that nobody at Pleasure Dome was the murderer of Sampson Tracy.” “You mean no member of the household?” “Yes, none of the staff of servants, neither of the secretaries, nor myself. That completes the tale of the occupants of the house that night.” “And how have you come to your conclusions?”