me? I suppose a bath is out of the
question, or"--with a glance at his fettered hands--"even a wash may be
dangerous. Faith, you don't believe in running risks!"

Foyle smiled in response to the banter. "Only a fool runs risks when
there's nothing to be gained. But I'm prepared to run one if you like to
fall in with a plan I've thought out. You're not under arrest yet. You
needn't be if you care to undertake to give evidence when the inquest is
resumed. For you are at present the only person who can clear up the
whole thing. Mind you, it would depend on what came out at the inquest
whether we should then arrest you. I can give no guarantee about it. But
if you accept, all that will be necessary is to quarter a couple of my
men with you for the time being."

Grell walked to the window and stared out upon the wooded country.
Presently he wheeled upon the superintendent with a short laugh. "My
dear man," he cried, "you will harp on that one point. I appreciate your
offer of comparative liberty, but if I accepted I should do so under
false pretences, because my evidence will be that I know nothing."

"You can't stop my knowing the truth," answered Foyle equably. "Sooner
or later I shall be able to prove it. And if you persist it will make
things much more unpleasant for you."

The other said nothing for a while. A struggle was taking place in his
mind that was indicated with a nervous twitching of the fingers. His
shoulders were bent and his head bowed. Foyle waited patiently. Outside
a bird started a "jig-jig-jig--br-brr" that set the teeth on edge. The
trees, stirred by a newly sprung up breeze, rustled uneasily.

"No, it's no good," said Grell at last. "I know nothing."

The detective rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Will you tell me if you had
any visitors on the evening of the murder?" he inquired, blandly
ignoring the other's refusal. He noticed a quick flash of surprise pass
over Grell's countenance and drew his own conclusions. Swiftly a new
thought came to him. "Did Goldenburg come to you alone?"

The prisoner remained silent, and Foyle knew that he was considering the
advisability of answering. "I don't see why you shouldn't know that, if
you want to. He came with a friend of mine. She left shortly
afterwards."

"She?" Foyle seized on the word. "It was a woman, then?"

Grell bit his lip. He had said more than he meant to. The superintendent
frowned thoughtfully, and his active brain was beginning to see thi