“I thought of every one else in the place almost. Oxley, Tarkington, Emerson and several others; even Kent I considered. But there wasn’t a shred of evidence against any of them. The only other real alternative to Roper is the burglars—the gang who have been operating for some months past. But here again Roper’s conduct comes in. If Roper wasn’t guilty he wouldn’t have acted as he did.” The chief constable smoked in silence for some moments. “I think all you say is very sound. Now just run over the case against Roper and I shall try to pick holes.” “First, sir, there was the man’s character; vindictive, unscrupulous, a blackmailer, and as well as that a skilful forger. Admittedly this description came from Philpot, but all that could be known to outsiders was confirmed by the sergeant and many others at Kintilloch. Roper was the only person we know of, other than the burglar gang, who had the character and the ability to commit the crime.” “Not convincing, but go on.” “Not convincing alone, no doubt; but it does not stand alone. Secondly, there was the getting of Miss Averill out of the way; thirdly, there was the Whymper episode and fourthly, the matter of Giles’s funeral.” “That’s all right except that when we find Giles’s body was not burned the whole case falls to the ground.” French threw the stub of his cigar into the fire. “Don’t you believe it, sir. None of what I have been saying falls to the ground. Though I admit the motive of this Giles business is not clear, the facts remain and their significance remains. I don’t now follow all Roper’s scheme, but I still believe he is our man.” Major Valentine nodded decisively. “So do I, French, and we shall get him all right. Then you’ve no theory of where the third body came from?” “I believe Roper enticed some other poor devil to the house and murdered him also. I think, sir, we’ll have to try again to find out if any one disappeared about that time.” “I’ll see to it, but I’m not hopeful of doing better than before.” Major Valentine showed signs of breaking up the conference, but French raised his hand. “A moment, sir, if you please. I was thinking that this inquest gives us a chance that perhaps we should take advantage of. No more of those notes have come through. What, sir, would you say was the reason for that?” “Well, if we’re right about Roper being alive, I suppose because he’s afraid.” “That’s what I think. And this business will make him still more afraid. Now I wonder if we couldn’t set his mind at ease for him.” “I don’t quite follow.”