“It must have been.  I wonder you did not speak to him!”

“I wish I had done so.  Mr. David is usually a very affable young gentleman, but, what between my surprise and the bustle of getting the train away, I lost the opportunity.  However, the queerest part of my story is coming.  I’m blest if he didn’t leave here again by the last train at 5.58 p.m.  I missed his entrance to the station, but had a good look at him as the train went out.  He showed the ticket-examiner at Ipswich a return half to London, because I asked by wire.  Now what did it all mean?”

“If I could tell you, it would save me much trouble,” said Brett gravely.  “But why did you not mention these incidents subsequently?”

“Perhaps I was wrong, sir.  I did not know what to do for the best.  Every one at the Hall, including Mr. David himself, would have proved that I was a liar with respect to his two earlier arrivals and his departure by the 5.58.  I did not see what I would accomplish except to arouse a strong suspicion that I had been drinking.”

“Which would be unjustifiable?”

The stationmaster regained his dignity.

“I have been a teetotaler, sir, for more than twenty years.”

“You are sure you are making no mistake?”

“Nothing of the kind, sir.  I must have been very much mistaken, but I did not think so at the time, and it bothered me more than enough.  If my evidence promised to be of any service to Mr. David, no consideration would have kept me back.  As it was—­”

“You thought it would damage him?”

“I’m afraid that was my idea.”

“I agree with you.  It is far better that it never came to the knowledge of the police.  I am greatly obliged to you.”

“May I ask, sir, if what I have told you will be useful in your inquiry?”

“Most decidedly.  Some day soon Mr. David Hume-Frazer will thank you in person.  I suppose you have no objection to placing your observations in written form for my private use, and sending the statement to me at the County Hotel?”

“Not the least, sir; good-day.”

The barrister walked to the hotel, having despatched his bag by a porter.

“I suppose,” he said to himself, “that when Winter came here he rushed straight to the police-station.  How his round eyes will bulge out of their sockets when I tell him what I have just learnt.”

CHAPTER XIII

TWO WOMEN

The surprising information given by the stationmaster impressed the barrister as so much unexpected trover which would assert its value in the progress of events.  He certainly did not anticipate the discovery of three David Humes, though he had hoped to find traces of two.

Before he reached his hotel he experienced a spasm of doubt.  Was his client telling the truth about his movements on that memorable Christmas Eve?  David’s story was fully corroborated by the railway official and the servants at the Hall, whose sworn evidence was in Brett’s possession.  But how about Hume’s counterfeit presentments arriving by the earlier trains—­coming from where and bound on what errands?