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behaviour. You rushed down to Styles, and found it still there?"
"Yes, and it was a race for time."
"But I still can't understand why Inglethorp was such a fool as to leave it
there when he had plenty of opportunity to destroy it."
"
"
"
Ah, but he had no opportunity. I saw to that."
You?"
Yes. Do you remember reproving me for taking the household into my
confidence on the subject?"
"Yes."
"
Well, my friend, I saw there was just one chance. I was not sure then if
Inglethorp was the criminal or not, but if he was I reasoned that he would
not have the paper on him, but would have hidden it somewhere, and by
enlisting the sympathy of the household I could effectually prevent his
destroying it. He was already under suspicion, and by making the matter
public I secured the services of about ten amateur detectives, who would be
watching him unceasingly, and being himself aware of their watchfulness he
would not dare seek further to destroy the document. He was therefore
forced to depart from the house, leaving it in the spill vase."
"
"
But surely Miss Howard had ample opportunities of aiding him."
Yes, but Miss Howard did not know of the paper's existence. In accordance
with their prearranged plan, she never spoke to Alfred Inglethorp. They were
supposed to be deadly enemies, and until John Cavendish was safely
convicted they neither of them dared risk a meeting. Of course I had a watch
kept on Mr. Inglethorp, hoping that sooner or later he would lead me to the
hiding-place. But he was too clever to take any chances. The paper was safe
where it was; since no one had thought of looking there in the first week, it
was not likely they would do so afterwards. But for your lucky remark, we
might never have been able to bring him to justice."
"I understand that now; but when did you first begin to suspect Miss
Howard?"
"
When I discovered that she had told a lie at the inquest about the letter she
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