"I understand that perfectly, sir," the man answered. "The less said at the inquest the better in the interests of justice."
"I am glad," he said, "that you appreciate that. I do not mind going so far then as to tell you that I believe Duson died of poison."
"Can you give me any idea," the detective asked, "as to the source?"
"None," Mr. Sabin answered. "That you must discover for yourselves. Duson was a man of silent and secretive habits, and it has occurred to me more than once that he might possibly be a member of one of those foreign societies who have their headquarters in Soho, and concerning which you probably know more than I do."
The detective smiled. It was a very slight flicker of the lips, but it attracted Mr. Sabin's keen attention.
"Your suggestions," the detective said, "are making this case a very interesting one. I have always understood, however, that reprisals of this extreme nature are seldom resorted to in this country. Besides, the man's position seems scarcely to indicate sufficient importance--perhaps--"
"I notice that Duson was found in your sitting-room. It occurs to me as a possibility that he may have met with a fate intended for some one else--for yourself, for instance, sir!"
"But I," Mr. Sabin said smoothly, "am a member of no secret society, nor am I conscious of having enemies sufficiently venomous to desire my life."
The detective sat for a moment with immovable face.
"We, all of us, know our friends, sir," he said. "There are few of us properly acquainted with our enemies."
Mr. Sabin lit a cigarette. His fingers were quite steady, but this man was making him think.
"You do not seriously believe," he asked, "that Duson met with a death which was intended for me?"
"I am afraid," the detective said thoughtfully, "that I know no more about it than you do."
"I see," Mr. Sabin said, "that I am no stranger to you."
"You are very far from being that, sir," the man answered. "A few years ago I was working for the Government--and you were not often out of my sight."
"It was perhaps judicious," he remarked, "though I am afraid it proved of very little profit to you. And what about the present time?"
"I see no harm in telling you, sir, that a general watch is kept upon your movements. Duson was useful to us... but now Duson is dead."