Field had few questions to ask further. A hundred theories were flying through his nimble brain. Beatrice seemed to divine something of this. "In common fairness I am bound to say that Mr. Richford could have had nothing to do with my father's death," she said. "In the first place he had everything to gain by Sir Charles keeping his health. I know the doctors are suspicious that there is foul play somewhere, but recollect that they are prepared to swear to my father's death some hours before his body was found. A little before ten, Mr. Richford must have been at home or he could never have had that telegram. Therefore it was after ten before he sought out my father, who, according to the medical view of the cause, had passed away hours before." "That is very cleverly and logically reasoned," Field said, not without admiration. "And in any case Mr. Richford would be able to give a really convincing account of the reason why he remained silent--especially after a jury had seen you in the witness box." It was a pretty compliment and a tribute to Field's sound judgment as to human nature, but Beatrice did not appear to heed his words. "I had better finish and tell you everything," she said. "I have said everything I can, in common fairness to my husband. I feel convinced that if there was foul play he had no hand in it, no actual hand, that is. But there is another side to the question. I have already told you all about the Countess and the General. I told you how my suspicions were aroused, and when I came up to my room as quickly as possible--the door was shut and two people were talking inside. You asked me just now, Inspector Field, if I could recognize the man again--the man who was in the room when the Countess was actually taking impressions of the seals on the door, and I said I could. Can you guess who that man was?" The inspector looked puzzled for a moment, then the light of illumination came over his face. He glanced up eagerly; his dark eyes were dancing. "You don't mean to say that it was Mr. Richford?" he asked. "Indeed I do," Beatrice said quietly, "I had intended to keep that piece of information to myself, but you have forced my hand. Of actual crime, of actual _murder_, I am quite sure that Stephen Richford is innocent. But as to the rest I cannot say. At any rate I have concealed nothing that is likely to injure the course of justice." CHAPTER XIV Inspector Field took up his hat and gloves from the chair where he had deposited them. He was satisfied, and more than satisfied with the interview. In a short time he had achieved excellent results. "We will not trouble Mrs. Richford any more at present," he said. "It may be some consolation to her to know that I agree with all her reasonings. But there is plenty of work to do." Field bowed himself out, followed by Berrington. The latter asked what the inspector was going to do.