uss controversial subjects," he
said. "If you will allow me, I will keep to the facts."

Tarling could have laughed at the sublime impertinence of the man, but
that he was growing irritable with the double strain which was being
imposed upon him. It was probable that, had not this man accused Odette
Rider of the murder, he would have left him to make his confession to
Whiteside, and have gone alone in his hopeless search for the taxicab
driven by Sam Stay.

"To resume," continued Mr. Milburgh, "I took the revolver home. You will
understand that I was in a condition of mind bordering upon a nervous
breakdown. I felt my responsibilities very keenly, and I felt that if Mr.
Lyne would not accept my protestations of innocence, there was nothing
left for me but to quit this world."

"In other words, you contemplated suicide?" said Whiteside.

"You have accurately diagnosed the situation," said Milburgh ponderously.
"Miss Rider had been dismissed, and I was on the point of ruin. Her
mother would be involved in the crash--those were the thoughts which ran
through my mind as I sat in my humble dining-room in Camden Town. Then
the idea flashed upon me. I wondered whether Odette Rider loved her
mother sufficiently well to make the great sacrifice, to take full
responsibility for the irregularities which had occurred in the accounts'
department of Lyne's Stores, and clear away to the Continent until the
matter blew over. I intended seeing her the next day, but I was still
doubtful as to whether she would fall in with my views. Young people
nowadays," he said sententiously, "are terribly selfish."

"As it happened, I just caught her as she was leaving for Hertford, and
I put the situation before her. The poor girl was naturally shocked, but
she readily fell in with my suggestion and signed the confession which
you, Mr. Tarling, so thoughtfully burnt."

Whiteside looked at Tarling.

"I knew nothing of this," he said a little reproachfully.

"Go on," said Tarling. "I will explain that afterwards."

"I had previously wired the girl's mother that she would not be home that
night. I also wired to Mr. Lyne, asking him to meet me at Miss Rider's
flat. I took the liberty of fixing Miss Rider's name to the invitation,
thinking that that would induce him to come."

"It also covered you," said Tarling, "and kept your name out of the
business altogether."

"Yes," said Mr. Milburgh, as though the idea had not struck him before,
"yes