"Yes, sir. I think so." "Do you remember the New Year's Eve when the young baronet was killed?" "Yes, generally speaking, I do remember it." The stationmaster was evidently doubtful of the motives which actuated this cross-examination, and resolved not to commit himself to positive statements. "You recollect, of course, that Mr. David Hume-Frazer was arrested and tried for the murder of his cousin?" "Yes." "Very well. Now I want you to search your memory well and tell me if you saw anyone belonging to the family in the station on that New Year's Eve. The terrible occurrence at Beechcroft the same night must have fixed the facts in your mind." The stationmaster, a cautious man of kindly disposition, seemed to be troubled by the interrogatory. "Do you mind if I ask you, sir, why you are seeking this information?" he inquired, after a thoughtful pause. "A very proper question. Mr. David Hume-Frazer is a friend of mine, and he has sought my help to clear away the mystery attached to his cousin's death." "But why do you come to me?" "Because you are a very likely person to have some knowledge on the point I raised. You see every person who enters or leaves Stowmarket by train." "That is true. We railway men see far more than people think," said the official, with a smile. "But it is very odd that you should be the first gentleman to think of talking to me in connection with the affair, though I can assure you certain things puzzled me a good deal at the time." "And what were they?" "You are the gentleman who came here three days ago with Mr. David, whom, by the way, I hardly recognised at first?" "Exactly." "Well, I suppose it is all right. I did not interfere because I could not see my way clear to voluntarily give evidence. Of course, were I summoned by the police, it would be a different matter. The incidents of that New Year's Eve fairly bewildered me." "Indeed!" "It was stated at the trial, sir, that Mr. David came from Scotland that morning, left Liverpool Street at 3.20 p.m., and reached Stowmarket at 5.22 p.m." "Yes." "Further, he was admittedly the second person to see his cousin's dead body, and remained at the Hall until arrested by the police on a warrant." Brett nodded. The stationmaster's statement promised to be intensely interesting.