"Very remarkable! It all fits together like clock-work. I congratulate you, Inspector," said Cyril, trying to speak superciliously. "But you omitted to mention the most important link in the chain of evidence you have so cleverly forged against me," he continued. "How am I supposed to have got hold of this bag? I did not stop in Newhaven and you have had me so closely watched that you must know that since my arrival in England I have met no one who could have given it to me."
"No, my lord, we are by no means sure of this. Quite the contrary. It is true that we have, so to speak, kept an eye on you, but, till yesterday, we had no reason to suspect that you had any connection with the murder, so we did not think it necessary to have you closely followed. There have been hours when we have had no idea where you were."
"It is quite possible," continued the inspector without heeding Cyril's interruption, "that you have met either Prentice or Lady Wilmersley, the dowager, I mean."
"Really! And why should they have given this bag to me, of all people? Surely you must see that they could have found many easier, as well as safer, ways of disposing of it."
"Quite so, my lord, and that is why I am inclined to believe that it was not through either of them that the bag came into your possession. I think it more probable that her Ladyship brought it with her."
"Her Ladyship? What do you mean?" Cyril's voice grew suddenly harsh.
"You told me yourself that her Ladyship met you in Newhaven; that, in fact, she had spent the night of the murder there."
Amy! They suspected Amy. This was too horrible! Why had it never occurred to him that his lies might involve an innocent person?
"But this is absurd, you know," he stammered, in a futile effort to gain time.
"There has been a terrible mistake, I tell you."
"In that case her Ladyship can no doubt easily explain it."
"Her Ladyship is ill. She cannot be disturbed."
"I am afraid that cannot be avoided. I must see her at once. But if you wish it, I will not question her till she has been examined by our doctors."
Cyril rose and moved automatically towards the door.
"Sorry, my lord, but for the present you can see her Ladyship only before witnesses. May I ring the bell?"