As French sat in the smoking room of his hotel, not far from the great west front of the minster, he suddenly saw a way by which he could establish the point. The letter Mrs. Palmer-Gore had received had stated that Ruth was longing to see the flower show. Was she? If she was, the letter might be genuine enough. If not, Averill could scarcely have written it, and if Averill had not written it no one but Roper could have done so. It was with impatience at the slowness of the journey that French returned next morning to Thirsby to apply the final test. He was lucky enough to catch Ruth as she was going out and she took him into the drawing-room. “I was talking to a friend of yours a little while ago, Miss Averill,” French said when they had exchanged a few remarks: “Mrs. Palmer-Gore, of York.” “Oh yes?” Ruth answered, her face brightening up. “How is she? She was so kind to me, especially when the terrible news came. I can never forget her goodness.” “I am sure of it. In the short time I was with her I thought she seemed most attractive. You went to York to see the flower show?” Ruth smiled. “That was the ostensible reason for her asking me. But, of course, show or no show, I should have been delighted to go.” “I dare say; most people like to visit York. You hadn’t then been looking forward to the show?” “I never even heard of it until Mrs. Palmer-Gore mentioned it in her letter. But naturally I was all the more pleased.” “Naturally. You’re a skilful gardener, aren’t you, Miss Averill?” She smiled again and shook her head. “Oh, no! But I’m fond of it.” French, in his turn, smiled his pleasant, kindly smile. “Oh, come now, I’m sure you are not doing yourself justice. Mr. Averill thought a lot of your gardening, didn’t he?” “My uncle? Oh, no. I don’t think he knew anything about it. You remember he was an invalid. He hadn’t been in the garden for years.” “But do you mean that you never discussed gardening with him? I should have thought, for example, you would have talked to him of this York flower show.” “But I thought I explained I didn’t know about that until Mrs. Palmer-Gore’s letter came, and after it came my uncle was too ill to speak about anything.” Here was the proof French had hoped for! With some difficulty keeping the satisfaction out of his voice, he continued his inquiries. “Of course I remember you told me that. But I must get on to business. I’m sorry to have to trouble you again, Miss Averill, but there are one or two other questions I have thought of since our last meeting. Do you mind if I ask them now?” “Of course not.” French leaned forward and looked grave. “I want to know what kind of terms Roper was on with his wife. You have seen them together a good deal. Can you tell me?” Ruth’s face clouded. “I hate to say anything when the two poor people are dead, but if I must tell the truth, I’m afraid they were not on good terms at all.”