town would be more
full than usual of visitors, made it less likely that either the
departure of Mark by the 4.20, or the arrival of Robert by the 2.10
earlier in the afternoon, would have been particularly noticed. As
Antony had said to Cayley, there would always be somebody ready to hand
the police a circumstantial story of the movements of any man in whom
the police were interested.

That Robert had come by the 2.10 seemed fairly certain. To find out more
about him in time for the inquest would be difficult. All that was known
about him in the village where he and Mark had lived as boys bore out
the evidence of Cayley. He was an unsatisfactory son, and he had been
hurried off to Australia; nor had he been seen since in the village.
Whether there were any more substantial grounds of quarrel between the
two brothers than that the younger one was at home and well-to-do,
while the elder was poor and an exile, was not known, nor, as far as the
inspector could see, was it likely to be known until Mark was captured.

The discovery of Mark was all that mattered immediately. Dragging
the pond might not help towards this, but it would certainly give the
impression in court to-morrow that Inspector Birch was handling the case
with zeal. And if only the revolver with which the deed was done was
brought to the surface, his trouble would be well repaid. "Inspector
Birch produces the weapon" would make an excellent headline in the local
paper.

He was feeling well-satisfied with himself, therefore, as he walked to
the pond, where his men were waiting for him, and quite in the mood for
a little pleasant talk with Mr. Gillingham and his friend, Mr. Beverley.
He gave them a cheerful "Good afternoon," and added with a smile,
"Coming to help us?"

"You don't really want us," said Antony, smiling back at him.

"You can come if you like."

Antony gave a little shudder.

"You can tell me afterwards what you find," he said. "By the way," he
added, "I hope the landlord at 'the George' gave me a good character?"

The Inspector looked at him quickly.

"Now how on earth do you know anything about that?"

Antony bowed to him gravely.

"Because I guessed that you were a very efficient member of the Force."

The inspector laughed.

"Well, you came out all right, Mr. Gillingham. You got a clean bill. But
I had to make certain about you.

"Of course you did. Well, I wish you luck. But I don't think you'll
find much at the pond. It