"If only he would break his absurd silence," she said suddenly. "This
ridiculous suspicion which still seems to be entertained in some
quarters would be removed of course; but his every act since the night
of the tragedy has only intensified it."
She sat facing me on the settee, her hands locked in her lap, and:
"Do you refer to any new act of his," I asked, "with which I am not at
present acquainted?"
She nodded slowly.
"Yes," she said; "but I can only tell you in confidence, for it is
something which Inspector Gatton does not know."
"Please tell me," I urged; "for you are aware that I have no other
object but the clearing of Coverly in the eyes of the police and the
public."
"Well," she continued, with hesitation, "last night he lodged with me
a copy of a _declaration_ which he assured me cleared him entirely.
But he imposed an extraordinary condition."
"What was that?" I asked with interest.
"It was only to be used in the event of the worst happening!" she
said.
"What do you mean? In the event of his being put on trial for murder?"
Isobel nodded.
"I suppose so," she said sadly; "it seems madness, doesn't it?"
"Absolute madness!" I agreed. "If he is in a position to establish an
alibi why not do it now and be done with the whole unsavory business?"
"That is exactly what I pointed out to him, but he was adamant on the
matter and became dreadfully irritable and excited.
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