And of course, knowing
what I do now, it's very clear to me how Ashton's murder came about.
Cortelyon knew that if Ashton was out of the way, and he himself in
possession of the papers, he could use some, suppress others, and foist
off an accomplice of his own as claimant to a title which, from what I've
seen, appears without doubt to belong to--"
Drillford was again glancing at Miss Wickham, but Viner contrived to stop
any further revelations and got to his feet.
"Extraordinary!" he said. "But--my aunt? Where is she?"
"She remained here until we'd safely caged the birds," answered
Drillford. "Then she said she'd go home. And I suppose you'll find
her there."
Viner took his companion away from the police-station in silence. But at
the end of the street Miss Wickham looked back.
"Are those three people really locked up--in cells--close by where we
were sitting with the inspector?" she asked.
"Just so," answered Viner.
"And will they all be hanged?" she whispered.
"I sincerely hope one will!" exclaimed Viner.
"What," she inquired, "did the inspector mean about the papers found on
Dr.
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