"That's been what the old man fetched from his bank that day!" he
exclaimed. "S'elp me if I ain't beginning to see light! Robbery--before
murder!"
"That's about it," agreed Ayscough. "But I'll tell you all that's come
out."
He went on to narrate the events of the afternoon, from the arrival of Mr.
Killick and his companions at the police station to the coming of John
Purvis, and his three listeners drank in every word with rising interest.
Mr. Penniket became graver and graver.
"Where's Mr. Killick now--and the rest of them?" he asked in the end.
"Gone to find that American chap--Guyler," answered Ayscough. "They did
think he might be likely--having experience of these South African
matters--to know something how Stephen Purvis may have been followed. You
see--you're bound to have some theory! It looks as if Stephen Purvis had
been tracked--for the sake of that diamond. The thieves probably tracked
it to this shop--most likely attacked Mr. Multenius for it. They'd most
likely been in here just before young Lauriston came in."
"But where does Stephen Purvis come in--then?" asked Mr. Penniket.
Pages:
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241