the matter he had to mention really troubled his mind,
it was a queer thing that fitted nowhere into the pattern within whose
corners he had by this time brought the other queer things in the case.
It was very possible that she could explain it away in a breath; it was
unlikely that any one else could. He summoned his resolution.

'You have been so kind,' he said, 'in allowing me access to the house
and every opportunity of studying the case, that I am going to ask leave
to put a question or two to yourself--nothing that you would rather not
answer, I think. May I?'

She glanced at him wearily. 'It would be stupid of me to refuse, Ask
your questions, Mr Trent.' 'It's only this,' said Trent hurriedly. 'We
know that your husband lately drew an unusually large sum of ready money
from his London bankers, and was keeping it here. It is here now, in
fact. Have you any idea why he should have done that?'

She opened her eyes in astonishment. 'I cannot imagine,' she said. 'I
did not know he had done so. I am very much surprised to hear it.'

'Why is it surprising?'

'I thought my husband had very little money in the house. On Sunday
night, just before he went out in the motor, he came into the
drawing-room where I was sitting. He seemed to be irritated about
something, and asked me at once if I had any notes or gold I could let
him have until next day. I was surprised at that, because he was never
without money; he made it a rule to carry a hundred pounds or so about
him always in a note-case. I unlocked my escritoire, and gave him all I
had by me. It was nearly thirty pounds.'

'And he did not tell you why he wanted it?'

'No. He put it in his pocket, and then said that Mr Marlowe had
persuaded him to go for a run in the motor by moonlight, and he thought
it might help him to sleep. He had been sleeping badly, as perhaps you
know. Then he went off with Mr Marlowe. I thought it odd he should need
money on Sunday night, but I soon forgot about it. I never remembered it
again until now.'

'It was curious, certainly,' said Trent, staring into the distance. Mr
Cupples began to speak to his niece of the arrangements for the inquest,
and Trent moved away to where Marlowe was pacing slowly upon the lawn.
The young man seemed relieved to talk about the coming business of the
day. Though he still seemed tired out and nervous, he showed himself not
without a quiet humour in describing the pomposities of the local police
and the