Farnsworth tried to ignore that by questioning Pierre about the time of Gresham’s arrival home, then turned to Rand and wanted to know what the latter’s interest in the case was.

Rand told him about his work in connection with the Fleming collection, producing Humphrey Goode’s letter of authorization.  Farnsworth seemed impressed in about the same way as the coroner, Kirchner, but he was still puzzled.

“But I understood that you had been retained by Stephen Gresham, to investigate this murder,” he said.

“So you did talk to Olsen, after I saw him,” Rand pounced.  “Odd he didn’t mention this telephone thing....  Why, yes; that’s true.  My agency handles all sorts of business.  The two operations aren’t mutually exclusive; for a while, I even thought they might be related, but now—­” He shrugged.

“Well, you believe, now, that Rivers had nothing to do with the pistols you say were stolen from the Fleming collection?” Farnsworth asked.  Rand shook his head ambiguously; Farnsworth took that for a negative answer to his question, as he was intended to.  “And you say Mr. Gresham has been completely cleared of any suspicion of complicity in this murder?”

“Mr. Rand’s helping us; we want him to stick around till the case is closed,” Corporal Kavaalen threw in, perceiving the drift of Farnsworth’s questions.  “He and Sergeant McKenna have worked together before; he’s given us a lot of good tips.”

“You understand,” Rand took over, “Mr. Gresham didn’t retain me merely to help him clear himself.  I don’t accept that kind of retainers.  I was retained to find the murderer of Arnold Rivers, and I intend to continue working on this case until I do.  I hope that the same friendly spirit of mutual cooperation will exist between your office and my agency as exists between me and the State Police.  I certainly don’t want to have to work at cross purposes with any of the regular law-enforcement agencies.”

“Oh, certainly; of course.”  Farnsworth didn’t seem to like the idea, but there was no apparent opening for objection.  He and Rand exchanged mendacious compliments, pledged close cooperation, and did practically everything but draw up and sign a treaty of alliance.  Then Farnsworth and Corporal Kavaalen accompanied Rand and Pierre Jarrett to the front door.

Some of the reporters who were ravening outside must have spotted Rand as he had entered; they were all waiting for him to come out, and set up a monstrous ululation when he appeared in the doorway.  With Farnsworth beaming approval, Rand assured the Press that he was no more than a mere spectator, that the State Police and the efficient District Attorney of Scott County had the situation well in hand, and that an arrest was expected within a matter of hours.  Then he and Pierre hurried to his car and drove away.

CHAPTER 14

Neither of them spoke for a moment or two.  Then, after they had left the criminological-journalistic uproar at the Rivers place behind and were approaching the village of Rosemont, Pierre turned to Rand.