"As much as you see in that telegram," retorted Browne, pointing to the table. "I was a fellow-student of Mr. Herries in Edinburgh, and have not seen him for quite two years. I know him well enough to say that he is not guilty of murder." "The evidence is strongly against him." "Circumstantial evidence has hanged an innocent man before now." "It will not hang Mr. Herries if he can prove his innocence. By-the-way, did you see Dr. Harkness in the train?" "No. Why do you ask?" "I sent for him to come here, and examine the body. If he does not arrive soon, perhaps you will take his place." "Certainly, I'll do anything to help Herries." "I don't see how a post-mortem can help him," retorted Trent. "Sir Simon Tedder's throat has been cut." "Sir Simon Tedder!" Browne started, and looked dismayed. "You know him?" "Yes. He is Herries' uncle. I attended him at Tarhaven, where he has a house, for an attack of influenza, and tried to make peace between him and his nephew." "Ah!" Trent assumed an air of satisfaction, "then you know that the two had quarrelled?" "I see no reason to conceal the fact that I do know," snapped the doctor sharply. "But that was two years ago. Herries went to sea, and it is incredible that he should return to murder his uncle." "Yet you must admit that it is strange, uncle and nephew should both have been at this inn?" "I admit nothing, until I know the facts, Mr. Inspector." "Here they are. Between ourselves, doctor, I should like to save Mr. Herries, who seems to have had a hard time." "He has, poor soul." "But," added Trent, cautiously, "it will be difficult to save him in the face of the evidence." "What is it?" Inspector Trent detailed all that he had learned from the people of the inn, and from the prisoner himself. Dr. Browne, with his keen blue eyes fastened on the official, listened intently, weighing the evidence in silence. Only when Trent ended, did he speak, and then curtly. "You have captured the wrong man." "Indeed," said Trent sarcastically, "perhaps you can tell me the name of the right one." "Not being omniscient, I cannot. It is for you, Mr. Inspector, to learn the name of the man who passed through the tap-room at eight." "You accuse him?" "Of course. He is the assassin, and has implicated Herries by placing in his room, the razor, the key and the pocket-book. This unknown man must have been the one whom Sir Simon expected on the previous night." "How do you know that?" "Because, by your own showing, Sir Simon could not have known of his nephew's presence here. The unknown man did not arrive at the time he was expected, but when the inn was closed, he must either have been admitted by Sir Simon, and taken to the bedroom, or he must have got in by the window." "The window is on the first floor!" Browne cast a look upward at the low ceiling. "I don't think an active man would have any difficulty in climbing."