that the stories of William Roper, Mrs. Carruthers, and Mrs. Turnbull had
provided him with an embarrassment of riches in the way of possible
murderers. It grew clearer than ever to him that the inquest must be
conducted with the greatest discretion, that as few facts as possible
must be revealed at it. It was also clear to him that, unless the handle
of the knife told a plain story, he would get nothing but circumstantial
evidence, and so far he had gotten too much of it.

He made up his mind that it would be best to see Colonel Grey at once and
form his impression as to the likelihood of his having had a hand in the
crime. He was loth to believe that a V.C. would murder in cold blood
even as detestable a bully as the Lord Loudwater appeared to have been.
But he had seen stranger things. Moreover, it depended on the type of
V.C. Colonel Grey was. V.C.s varied.

Mr. Flexen lost no time. It was nearly six o'clock. It was likely that
the Colonel would be back at his inn after his fishing. Mrs. Turnbull was
sure that he had as usual gone fishing, for, when he set out in the
morning, he had taken his rod with him. Antony Grey was not the man to
omit a simple precaution like that. Therefore, Mr. Flexen ordered a car
to be brought round, and was at the "Cart and Horses" by twenty past six.

He found that Colonel Grey had indeed returned. He sent up his card;
the maid came back and at once took him up to the Colonel's
sitting-room. Grey received him with an air of inquiry, which grew yet
more inquiring when Mr. Flexen told him that he was engaged in
investigating the affair of Lord Loudwater's death. Therefore, Mr.
Flexen came to the point at once.

"I have been informed that Lord Loudwater paid you a visit last night,