“I don’t know about that,” said Anthony slowly. “I’ve an impression that there are no flies on Superintendent Battle. He appears to be convinced of my innocence—but I’m not so sure. He’s stumped at present by my apparent lack of motive.” “Apparent?” cried Virginia. “But what possible reason could you have for murdering an unknown foreign Count?” Anthony darted a sharp glance at her. “You were at one time or other in Herzoslovakia, weren’t you?” he asked. “Yes. I was there with my husband, for two years, at the Embassy.” “That was just before the assassination of the King and Queen. Did you ever run across Prince Michael Obolovitch?” “Michael? Of course I did. Horrid little wretch! He suggested, I remember, that I should marry him morganatically.” “Did he really? And what did he suggest you should do about your existing husband?” “Oh, he had a sort of David and Uriah scheme all made out.” “And how did you respond to this amiable offer?” “Well,” said Virginia, “unfortunately one had to be diplomatic. So poor little Michael didn’t get it as straight from the shoulder as he might have done. But he retired hurt all the same. Why all this interest about Michael?” “Something I’m getting at in my own blundering fashion. I take it that you didn’t meet the murdered man?” “No. To put it like a book, he ‘retired to his own apartments immediately on arrival.’” “And of course you haven’t seen the body?” Virginia, eyeing him with a good deal of interest, shook her head. “Could you get to see it, do you think?” “By means of influence in high places—meaning Lord Caterham—I dare say I could. Why? Is it an order?” “Good Lord, no,” said Anthony, horrified. “Have I been as dictatorial as all that? No, it’s simply this. Count Stanislaus was the incognito of Prince Michael of Herzoslovakia.” Virginia’s eyes opened very wide. “I see.” Suddenly her face broke into its fascinating one-sided smile. “I hope you don’t suggest that Michael went to his rooms simply to avoid seeing me?” “Something of the kind,” admitted Anthony. “You see, if I’m right in my idea that some one wanted to prevent your coming to Chimneys, the reason seems to lie in your knowing Herzoslovakia. Do you realize that you’re the only person here who knew Prince Michael by sight?” “Do you mean that this man who was murdered was an impostor?” asked Virginia abruptly. “That is the possibility that crossed my mind. If you can get Lord Caterham to show you the body, we can clear up that point at once.” “He was shot at 11.45,” said Virginia thoughtfully. “The time mentioned on that scrap of paper. The whole thing’s horribly mysterious.” “That reminds me. Is that your window up there? The second from the end over the Council Chamber?” “No, my room is in the Elizabethan wing, the other side. Why?” “Simply because as I walked away last night, after thinking I heard a shot, the light went up in that room.”