The second matter was more interesting and suggestive, but less tangible. When Tanner was interrogating the butler about Austin Ponson he noticed that certain of the latter’s replies were not so spontaneous as those to earlier questions. In particular, when he asked whether during his call at Luce Manor on evening Austin had seemed worried or depressed, Parkes, though he replied in the negative, seemed so uncomfortable that the Inspector began to doubt if he was speaking the truth. He was not certain, but the thought crossed his mind that the butler knew something which he was holding back. At this stage Tanner was anxious not to arouse suspicion that he was interested in Austin. He therefore changed the subject and made inquiries about Cosgrove. But of him he learnt nothing except that he had not been at Luce Manor for over a month.
From the butler Tanner found out also that neither Austin Ponson nor anyone at Luce Manor smoked dark-coloured cigarettes.
The Inspector next interviewed Innes. Having heard the valet’s statement, which was almost identical with Parkes’s, he began to question him in the hope of learning something further.
“I wonder, Mr. Innes,” he asked, “if you can tell me what upset Sir William between breakfast and lunch this day week?”
The valet stared.
“You weren’t long getting hold of that,” he commented. “Yes, I can tell you; or partly at least. He got a letter with the morning delivery. I bring them up to him when they come about . There were about half a dozen, and he took them and looked over the envelopes as usual. When he saw one he sort of scowled, and he tore it open and read it. I don’t know what was in it, but it fairly gave him the pip and he didn’t get over it. He was kind of worried right up to the end.”
“You didn’t notice the handwriting or the postmark?”
“No.”
“What letters come by that delivery?”
“London, but that means all parts.”
“That was . Now can you tell me Sir William’s movements since?”
“ there was a dinner party on—about half a dozen people—and bridge afterwards. Then Sir William went up to town. was a quiet day. Mr. Austin dined and stayed the evening. Sir William went up to town again. and he stayed here alone. He was quite alone, for her ladyship and Miss Enid went up to town on .”
“Were all these things in accordance with Sir William’s custom? To go to London two days running, for example?”
“He went now and again; I can’t remember him going two days running.” The valet hesitated, then went on: “There was another thing struck me about that, but I don’t know if there’s anything in it. When he did go, it was nearly always in the car. I only remember him going by train when the car was out of order, and then he groused about it. But these two days he went by train though the car was there and the chauffeur doing nothing.”
“It is curious, that,” Tanner agreed. “Now, Mr. Austin’s coming on . You saw him, I suppose?”
“Yes, both when he was coming and leaving.”
“Ah, that is fortunate. You could tell, then, if he seemed just in his ordinary humour, or if anything had upset him?”
“I only saw him for just a moment. It would be hard to form an opinion in the time.”
Inspector Tanner was keenly interested. He thought he recognised a sudden reserve in the man’s tone and manner, and he remembered that he had had the same impression about Parkes, when the butler was asked a similar question. He suspected both men were withholding information. Something apparently had occurred on that night. He decided to bluff.
“It would be a kindness, Mr. Innes, if you would tell me just what happened on that night.”
The valet started, and an uneasy expression passed over his face. Neither were lost on the Inspector.
“I don’t know of anything special,” Innes answered. “Just what are you getting at?”
The Inspector bluffed again.
“Mr. Austin was upset too? Come now, Mr. Innes, you’ll agree to that, surely?”
“Well, he may have been a bit.”
“Was that when he was going or on arrival and departure both?”
“He seemed a bit absentminded when he was going, but, Lord! Mr. Tanner, what’s that? He may have been feeling a bit seedy, or had a headache, or half a dozen things.”
The man seemed nervous and ill at ease. More strongly than ever Inspector Tanner felt there was more to come. He racked his brains to guess what might have happened, and to frame leading questions. Suddenly an idea occurred to him. He bent forward and tapped the valet on the knee.
“Now, Mr. Innes, about the trouble they had that night. You might tell me what you know.”
The valet gave his questioner a sour look.
“I suppose Parkes told you about that,” he grumbled, “but I think he might have kept his mouth shut. It’s no business of yours, or mine either.”
“Tell me anyway.”
“I heard them in the study. Their voices were raised, and that’s all there’s of it.”
“And what did they say?”
“I only heard a word or two. I didn’t wait to listen.”
“Of course not, Mr. Innes. But people can’t help overhearing things. What was it you heard?”
The valet seemed to be considering his answer. At last he replied:
“I heard Mr. Austin say, ‘My God, sir, she’s not.’ That’s every blessed word, so now you know it all.”
His manner had altered, and Tanner felt this was the truth.
So the father and son had been quarrelling that evening about a woman! That was a suggestive fact, and it was evident from his hesitation that Innes thought so too. Then Tanner remembered that Austin had told him it was on the previous day
