rpid smile crossed his face as
he watched them go. Then he moved a step nearer his visitors. His manner
had still the insolent urbanity which was customary to him.

'And now, my friends, will you tell me how I can be of service to you?'

'I have come about Margaret's death,' said Arthur.

Haddo, as was his habit, did not immediately answer. He looked slowly
from Arthur to Dr Porhoet, and from Dr Porhoet to Susie. His eyes rested
on her hat, and she felt uncomfortably that he was inventing some gibe
about it.

'I should have thought this hardly the moment to intrude upon my sorrow,'
he said at last. 'If you have condolences to offer, I venture to suggest
that you might conveniently send them by means of the penny post.'

Arthur frowned.

'Why did you not let me know that she was ill?' he asked.

'Strange as it may seem to you, my worthy friend, it never occurred to me
that my wife's health could be any business of yours.'

A faint smile flickered once more on Haddo's lips, but his eyes had still
the peculiar hardness which was so uncanny. Arthur looked at him
steadily.

'I have every reason to believe that you killed her,' he said.

Haddo's face did not for an instant change its expression.

'And have you communicated your suspicions to the police?'

'I propose to.'

'And, if I am not indiscreet, may I inquire upon what you base them?'

'I saw Margaret three weeks ago, and she told me that she went in terror
of her life.'

'Poor Margaret! She had always the romantic temperament. I think it was
that which first brought us together.'

'You damned scoundrel!' cried Arthur.

'My dear fellow, pray moderate your language. This is surely not an
occasion when you should give way to your lamentable taste for abuse. You
outrage all Miss Boyd's susceptibilities.' He turned to her with an airy
wave of his fat hand. 'You must forgive me if I do not offer you the
hospitality of Skene, but the loss I have so lately sustained does not
permit me to indulge in the levity of entertaining.'

He gave her an ironical, low bow; then looked once more at Arthur.

'If I can be of no further use to you, perhaps you would leave me to my
own reflections. The lodgekeeper will give you the exact address of the
village constable.'

Arthur did not answer. He stared into vacancy, as if he were turning over
things in his mind. Then he turned sharply on his heel and walked towards
the gate. Susie and Dr Porhoet, taken completely aba