Otherwise, save for cobwebs, the room
was bare and very relaxing.

Dunwoodie taking the chair, indicated the stool. "Now, sir!"

Jones gave him the declaration.

With not more than a glance Dunwoodie possessed himself of the contents.
He put it down.

"If I had not known you had studied law, not for a moment would that
rigamarole lead me to suspect it."

In a protest which was quite futile, Jones raised a hand. "The notary is
unnecessary, I know that. I know also that a dying declaration is not
the best evidence, but----"

"Do you at least know that the declarant is dead?"

Jones, who favoured the dramatic, nodded. "He died in my arms."

Dunwoodie took it in and took it out. "It is curious how crime leads to
bad taste."

Jones leaned forward. "I may tell you for your information----"

"Spare me, I am overburdened with information as it is."

Jones sat back. He had no intention of taking Dunwoodie then behind the
scenes. That would come later. But he did want to try out an invention
that had occurred to him. He sighed.

"Don't you care to hear why he did it?"

"Not in the least."

"But----"

Dunwoodie fumbled in a pocket. "The district attorney may be more
receptive. I shall go to him in the morning and I will thank you to go
with me."

"I am not up in the morning."

"Then don't go to bed."

From the pocket, Dunwoodie extracted an enormous handkerchief. It
fascinated Jones. He had never seen one that resembled it.

"You dispose of me admirably. The district attorney, I suppose, will
enter a nolle prosequi."

In that handkerchief, Dunwoodie snorted. "You may suppose what you
like."

Jones laughed. "It is my business to suppose. I suppose, when the murder
was committed, that Lennox was at home. If I am right, he has an alibi
which his servant can confirm."

Dunwoodie stared. "Whatever your business may be, it is not to teach me
mine."

Jones drew out a cigarette-case. "Let me sit at your feet then. What
does Lennox say?"

"How inquisitive you are! But to be rid of you, he----"

"May I smoke?" Jones interrupted.

"Good God, sir! You are not preparing to make a night of it?"

"I have one or two other little matters in hand. But since I may suppose
all I like, I take it that Lennox intended to go to the opera, though I
fancy also that he had no intention of going to Paliser's box. I suppose
that he intended to wait about and go for him hot and heavy when he came
out. I suppose also that,