Morley. "She took a stiletto from the wall yonder, and here it is." He produced it with a dramatic wave.
"Where did you find it?"
"Beside the grave – on the spot of the murder."
CHAPTER VI
THE CASE AGAINST ANNE
The contradictory qualities of Mrs. Parry's nature came out strongly in connection with the Rickwell tragedy. When Miss Denham was prosperous the old woman had nothing but bad to say of her, now that she was a fugitive and generally credited with a crime, Mrs. Parry stood up for her stoutly. She made herself acquainted with all details, and delivered her verdict to Mrs. Morley, on whom she called for the express purpose of giving her opinion.
"I never liked the woman," she said impressively, "she was artful and frivolous; and to gain admiration behaved in a brazen way of which I thoroughly disapproved. All the same, I do not believe she killed the girl."
"But the evidence is strongly against her," expostulated Mrs. Morley.
"And how many people have been hanged on evidence which has afterwards been proved incorrect?" retorted Mrs. Parry. "I don't care how certain they are of her guilt. In my opinion she is an innocent woman. I am glad she has escaped."
"I am not sorry myself," sighed the other. "I was fond of Anne, for she had many good points. But Mr. Steel says – "
"Who is Mr. Steel?"
"The detective who has charge of the case."
"I thought the police from Chelmsford had it in hand."
"Of course, Mr. Morley sent for the police the morning after poor Daisy's death. That is three days ago. To-morrow the inquest is to be held. I suppose they will bring a verdict against poor Miss Denham."
"Ha!" said Mrs. Parry, rubbing her nose, "and my greengrocer is on the jury. Much he knows about the matter. But this Steel creature. Where does he come from?"
"Mr. Morley sent to London for him. He has a private inquiry office, I believe."
"No such thing," contradicted Mrs. Parry, "he is from Scotland Yard. A genuine detective – none of your makeshifts."
"I thought you knew nothing about him?"
"Nor did I till this minute. But I now remember seeing his name in connection with the theft of Lady Summersdale's diamonds. He caught the thief in a very clever way. Steel – Martin Steel, I remember now. So he has the case in hand. Humph! He won't accuse Anne Denham, you may be sure of that. He's too clever."
"But he is convinced of her guilt," said the other triumphantly.
"Then the man's a fool. I'll see him myself."
Mrs. Parry did so the very next day after the inquest had been held and the verdict given. She possessed a small, neat cottage on the outskirts of Rickwell, standing some distance back from the high road. Seated at her drawing-room window, she could see all those who came or went, and thus kept a watch over the morals of the village. This window was called "Mrs. Parry's eye," and everyone sneaked past it in constant dread of the terrible old lady who looked through it. Beyond Mrs. Parry's cottage were the houses of the gentry and the church; therefore she knew that Steel would pass her house on the way to The Elms, where he would doubtless go to report himself to Morley. To be sure Morley was to be at the inquest, but Mrs. Parry took no account of that. He and the detective would certainly return to The Elms to compare notes.
Also there was another chance. Steel might go on to see Ware at his place, which was a mile beyond the village. Giles had caught a cold after his midnight ride and search for the missing motor, and since then had been confined to his bed. His deposition had been taken down in writing, for the benefit of the jury, as he could not be present himself. Since he was deeply interested in the matter, Steel would probably go and tell him about the inquest. Mrs. Parry therefore posted herself at the window about twelve and waited for the detective.
At half-past twelve she saw him come along, having on the previous day made herself acquainted with his personality. He was a dapper pert little man, neat in his dress, and suave in his manners. Not at all like the detective of fiction as known to Mrs. Parry. There was no solemnity or hint of mystery about Mr. Steel. He would pass unnoticed in a crowd, and no one would take him for a bloodhound of the law. He did not even possess the indispensable eagle eye, nor did he utter opinions with the air of an oracle. In fact, when Mrs. Parry captured him and lured him into her parlor, she was exceedingly disappointed with his appearance. "No one would even take you for a detective," said she brusquely, whereat Steel laughed cheerily.
"All the better for me, ma'am. Folk speak more freely when they don't know my business. But you will excuse me," he added, glancing at his watch, "I am in a hurry. You say you know something about this matter?"
It was on this pretence that Mrs. Parry had got him into her house, else he would not have wasted his time on her. She had therefore to make good her words, but had not the slightest chance of doing so.
"I know that Anne Denham is innocent," was all that she could say, but said it with the air of one who settles a difficult matter once and for all.
"On what grounds, ma'am?"
"On no grounds, save those of my own common sense."
"You have no evidence to – ?"
"I have the evidence of my own eyes. You haven't seen the woman. I have. She is not the kind of person who would act so."
"The jury take a different view," said Steel dryly. "They have brought in a verdict of wilful murder against her."
"Fools! But what can you expect from a parcel of tradesmen? I wish to hear on what grounds they made such idiots of themselves."
Steel was somewhat taken aback by this coolness. "You must really excuse me," said he, rising, "but I have to see Mr. Ware."
"All in good time, Steel," said the old lady coolly. "You might do worse than spend an hour with me. There is precious little going on in this parish I don't know of. I might be able to help you in your search."
"After this woman?" Steel shook his head. "I don't think so. I expect she has escaped to foreign parts."
"Oh, I know all about that. I made Trim tell me. You know Trim, of course. He was a groom once."
"Isn't he a groom now?"
"Well" – Mrs. Parry rubbed her nose – "you might call him an engineer. When Ware started a motor-car Trim refused to let anyone else attend to his young master but himself. He was the servant of old Ware, and thinks it is his duty to look after the son – not but what it's needed," added Mrs. Parry spitefully; "but Trim learned how to work the car, and so he is what you might call an engineer."
"All very interesting ma'am, but I have an appointment."
"It will keep," replied Mrs. Parry suavely. "You had better wait, Steel. I have something to show you."
"In connection with the case?"
"In connection with Miss Denham."
"What is it? Show it to me."
"All in good time, Steel. I must first know what you think of the matter."
"I think that this woman is guilty."
