Haddo’s face did not for an instant change its expression.

‘And have you communicated your suspicions to the police?’

‘I propose to.’

‘And, if I am not indiscreet, may I inquire upon what you base them?’

’I saw Margaret three weeks ago, and she told me that she went in terror of her life.’

’Poor Margaret!  She had always the romantic temperament.  I think it was that which first brought us together.’

‘You damned scoundrel!’ cried Arthur.

’My dear fellow, pray moderate your language.  This is surely not an occasion when you should give way to your lamentable taste for abuse.  You outrage all Miss Boyd’s susceptibilities.’  He turned to her with an airy wave of his fat hand.  ’You must forgive me if I do not offer you the hospitality of Skene, but the loss I have so lately sustained does not permit me to indulge in the levity of entertaining.’

He gave her an ironical, low bow; then looked once more at Arthur.

’If I can be of no further use to you, perhaps you would leave me to my own reflections.  The lodgekeeper will give you the exact address of the village constable.’

Arthur did not answer.  He stared into vacancy, as if he were turning over things in his mind.  Then he turned sharply on his heel and walked towards the gate.  Susie and Dr Porhoet, taken completely aback, did not know what to do; and Haddo’s little eyes twinkled as he watched their discomfiture.

‘I always thought that your friend had deplorable manners,’ he murmured.

Susie, feeling very ridiculous, flushed, and Dr Porhoet awkwardly took off his hat.  As they walked away, they felt Haddo’s mocking gaze fixed upon them, and they were heartily thankful to reach the gate.  They found Arthur waiting for them.

‘I beg your pardon,’ he said, ‘I forgot that I was not alone.’

The three of them drove slowly back to the inn.

‘What are you going to do now?’ asked Susie.

For a long time Arthur made no reply, and Susie thought he could not have heard her.  At last he broke the silence.

’I see that I can do nothing by ordinary methods.  I realize that it is useless to make a public outcry.  There is only my own conviction that Margaret came to a violent end, and I cannot expect anyone to pay heed to that.’

‘After all, it’s just possible that she really died of heart disease.’

Arthur gave Susie a long look.  He seemed to consider her words deliberately.

‘Perhaps there are means to decide that conclusively,’ he replied at length, thoughtfully, as though he were talking to himself.

‘What are they?’

Arthur did not answer.  When they came to the door of the inn, he stopped.

‘Will you go in?  I wish to take a walk by myself,’ he said.

Susie looked at him anxiously.

‘You’re not going to do anything rash?’