“Oh, well, it isn’t really of the least importance, so long as I can see him up there now.” “He’s up there now right enough, sir. You ask any of the men up there an’ they’ll show you.” Roger finished up the remains of his beer and put the tankard down on the counter with a business-like air. “Well, Alec,” he said briskly. “Time we were getting along if we’re ever to get back to Elchester to-day.” “You really are rather marvellous, you know, Roger,” Alec observed, as they set out along the road once more. “I know I am,” Roger said candidly. “But why particularly?” “Carrying on a chat with the landlord like that. I couldn’t have done it to save my life. I shouldn’t know what to say.” “I suppose it comes naturally,” Roger replied complacently. “I’m a bit of what our American friends call a mixer. As a matter of fact, I thoroughly enjoy a yap with somebody like that; friend William, for instance. And it all comes in useful, you know; local colour and so on. But what about the information I was able to extract, eh?” “Yes, we got a few more details, didn’t we?” “Highly important ones, too. What do you make of Master Prince showing on his own account at Elchester? That puts him in rather an independent position, doesn’t it? And he wasn’t back till late last night, you see. It all tallies.” “Yes, we seem to be on the right track this time.” “Of course we’re on the right track. How could we be anything else? The evidence is overwhelming. As a matter of fact,” Roger added thoughtfully, “I believe I can make a pretty good guess as to what actually happened last night.” “Oh? What?” “Why, friend Prince, naturally somewhat elated at winning a prize at the show, got drinking with some of the new pals he must have picked up here and had a couple of drops too much. On his way back he passes Layton Court and either rattles the side door and notices it ajar; in any case, walks in and up to the French windows, which are open. Stanworth, who we know was mortally afraid of him, jumps at his appearance and threatens him with a revolver. In the struggle, Stanworth is shot, either on purpose or accidentally. That sobers friend Prince up more than a little, and, with the cunning we know him to possess, he sets the stage for us to find the next morning. How’s that?” “It’s quite possible,” Alec admitted. “But what I want to know is—how are we going to tackle Prince now?” “Wait and see what happens. I shall get into conversation with him and try to get him to account for his movements last night. If he gets obstreperous, we shall simply have to lay him out; that’s all. You’ll come in useful there, by the way.” “Humph!” Alec observed. “In any case,” Roger concluded enthusiastically, “it’s going to be dashed exciting. You can take my word for that.”