"I'll open the window," he said aloud, and went to the dressing-table
which was immediately before the casement. Here he remained for a
little time, examining the position of the glass, and the table, both
of which he noted had been moved. Then he moved round the room,
apparently still under the doctor's orders to quell the suspicions of
Fairburn, and when the constable was not looking, stooped to pick
something off the floor. Near the bed was a small table covered with a
red cloth, and on this were writing materials, which Kind also
examined. Finally, he came to the bed, and looked at the corpse, at
the crimsoned pillow and sheets, and at the heavy rep-curtain which
draped the couch. A nudge told Browne that Sweetlips had seen all that
he wished to see, and the two departed.
"It's all right, constable," said Browne, giving the key to the man,
who yawned on receiving it. "The regular doctor will come to-morrow,
and you can tell him, if I am not here, that I have seen the corpse
twice."
"Yes, sir," said Fairburn saluting, and tramped down the passage after
locking the door, still yawning. Kind was perfectly satisfied that the
inattentive policeman had guessed nothing of the real reason for the
visit to the death-chamber. He turned to Browne, who was holding the
candle.
"What of the room Herries slept in?" he asked in a low voice, and with
more of the detective's peremptory manner than the Cheap-jack's
careless ease.
"It is mine to-night," replied the doctor, and opened the door of the
adjacent room. "Why do you wish to----?"
"I might find something here also. Wait!"
Taking the candle, he entered the room, and Browne, marvelling at the
sudden assumption of authority by the man, waited in the passage. He
was impressed by Kind's resolution, and careful handling of the
situation, and began to think that here indeed was an ally worth
having. Even the Cheap-jack's language had changed, and he spoke a
tongue considerably removed from the slang vernacular which he
affected as the proprietor of the caravan. When he came out, Browne,
on fire with curiosity, asked him what discoveries he had made.
"I've found much, but much remains to be found," said Kind, shaking
his head. "When we reach the caravan, I'll tell you what I think. That
is----?" he hesitated, looked anxiously at Browne's open face, and
then abruptly descended the stairs. Elspeth was already in the
tap-room, and apparently had just returned. On seeing Kind she glided
up to him, and said something in a low voice. He nodded.
"Rachel is awake," he remarked aloud, turning to the doctor, "'praps
you'll come along and see her."
"Willingly," answered Browne, starting with alacrity for the door, "so
long as you'll help my friend, I'll do anything."