Arnold, reserved like all Englishmen, was annoyed that this inquisitive Yankee should interfere in his affairs. But the face of the man was so genial, and displayed such interest, that he could not help laughing. "It's very kind of you, Tracey," he admitted, "and there is no one whose help I would like better. But I have already engaged a detective to look after the matter." "Right enough," responded Luther, lighting another cigarette. "But I work for the love of Gerty B., who's death on seeing you and Miss Mason hitched in double harness. I'll do better than your 'tec, I guess. Now come along and put your soul into the matter." "But I've got nothing more to say, man. Miss Mason has apparently told you everything." "In the way women do tell--generally and without the detail I want, sir. But Miss Mason was crying so, and I was consoling her so, that I didn't catch on to everything, Calvert." Here Tracey's voice became more earnest. "Just you trust me to the hilt. I'm your friend, right away through, and God knows you need one." "Do you think I am in danger?" "On the face of it, I do." "But I can produce an _alibi_." "Good again. What's that, anyhow?" "Just this. I was asleep in my lodgings up till nine o'clock on that night, and only went down to the theatre half an hour later. I believe that the woman was killed between eight and nine." "That's all right enough," assented the American, looking at the ash of his cigarette. "But you were in the house later, and you've come in for the money, and the dagger was yours. There may be a way of the prosecution getting out of the woman having been killed so early, and then you get left." "Tracey, I swear when I saw the body it was almost cold." "Then why didn't you call in the police?" "Because I lost my head," said Arnold, much distressed. Luther shook his head. "The very time when you should have kept it. If you had called in the police and explained how you came to be at the villa, all would have been well." "But the money being left to me," expostulated Calvert. "You didn't know that at the time?" "No. I only knew when Merry wrote me." "Then there's no motive, though the prosecution might try to prove you knew from Mrs. Brand beforehand." "Tracey, why do you talk about prosecution? There's no chance of----" "Of arrest," finished the American, neatly. "There just is, and don't you make any mistake about it. That professor chap won't give up the money without a try to get some." "You mistrust him?" "Oh, I reckon so. When he kept to his studies he was a harmless sort of cuss, but now he's taken a hand in this game with the chance of a fortune if he wins, why, he'll stick at nothing to land his stake. You go ahead, Calvert, and tell me what you told Miss Mason. Then I'll smooth it out and tot up."