So far had my studies proceeded when I heard the door-bell ring, and Coates entered the room.

“Detective-Inspector Gatton to see you, sir.”

Gatton came in looking if anything more puzzled than when I had left him at the Red House; also I thought he looked tired, and: 

“Mix yourself a drink, Inspector,” I said, pointing to a side-table upon which refreshments were placed.

“Thanks,” replied Gatton.  “I have not had time to stop for a drink or even a smoke since I left you; but evidence is coming in quickly enough now.”

He helped himself to a whisky and soda, being an old visitor and one used to the Bohemian ways of my household; then setting his glass upon a corner of my writing-table, he dropped into the armchair and began in leisurely fashion to fill his pipe.

Although the hour was growing late, sunset was still a long way off and the prospect visible through the window was bathed in golden light.  From where I sat I could catch a glimpse of the tree-lined road, and for the first time since that strange experience had befallen me, I found myself wondering if the vaguely-perceived follower whom I had detected on the previous night and those blazing feline eyes which had looked out at me from beneath the shadow of the hedge could have had any possible connection with the tragedy which at about the same hour was being enacted in the Red House.  I determined presently to confide the strange particulars to my friend, but first I was all anxiety to learn what evidence Marie had given; and that this evidence, to which he had referred had done little more than to increase Gatton’s perplexity was clear enough from his expression.  Therefore: 

“Tell me about Marie,” I said.

Gatton smiled grimly, took a drink from his glass, and then: 

“She began of course as I had anticipated, by denying all knowledge of the matter, but recognizing that she was in a tight corner, she presently changed her tactics, and although every available plan was tried to induce her to change her ground, she afterwards stuck to the extraordinary story which we first extracted from her.  Briefly it was this: 

“The late Sir Marcus had been paying unwelcome attention to Miss Merlin for a long time, and Marie had instructions that he was to be discouraged as much as possible.  In fact I am pleased to say that your theory of Miss Merlin’s ignorance respecting the murder plot is borne out by the testimony of her maid.  On several occasions, it appears, when he sent his card to the dressing-room, Marie returned equivocal messages and did not even inform her mistress of Sir Marcus’s visit.  This had been going on for some time when one night whilst Miss Merlin was on the stage a telephone call came for Marie and a certain proposal was made to her.