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Page 101
"Yes, sir."
"Go out to the gate and get Edson to relieve you. I shall want you to
go back to headquarters in a few minutes."
"Very good, sir."
I scented what was coming, and as Inspector Aylesbury reentered the
room:
"I should like to make a statement," announced Paul Harley, quietly.
The Inspector frowned, and lowering his chin, regarded him with little
favour.
"I have not invited any statement from you, Mr. Harley," said he.
"Quite," returned Harley. "I am volunteering it. It is this: I gather
that you are about to take an important step officially. Having in view
certain steps which I, also, am about to take, I would ask you to defer
action, purely in your own interests, for at least twenty-four hours."
"I hear you," said the Inspector, sarcastically.
"Very well, Inspector. You have come newly into this case, and I assure
you that its apparent simplicity is illusive. As new facts come into
your possession you will realize that what I say is perfectly true, and
if you act now you will be acting hastily. All that I have learned I am
prepared to place at your disposal. But I predict that the interference
of Scotland Yard will be necessary before this enquiry is concluded.
Therefore I suggest, since you have rejected my cooperation, that you
obtain that of Detective Inspector Wessex, of the Criminal
Investigation Department. In short, this is no one-man job. You will do
yourself harm by jumping to conclusions, and cause unnecessary trouble
to perfectly innocent people."
"Is your statement concluded?" asked the Inspector.
"For the moment I have nothing to add."
"Oh, I see. Very good. Then we can now get to business. Always with
your permission, Mr. Harley."
He took his stand before the fireplace, very erect, and invested with
his most official manner. Mrs. Camber watched him in a way that was
pathetic. Camber seemed to be quite composed, although his face was
unusually pale.
"Now, Mr. Camber," said the Inspector, "I find your answers to the
questions which I have put to you very unsatisfactory."
"I am sorry," said Colin Camber, quietly.
"One moment, Inspector," interrupted Paul Harley, "you have not warned
Mr. Camber."
Thereupon the long-repressed wrath of Inspector Aylesbury burst forth.
"Then I will warn _you_, sir!" he shouted. "One more word and you
leave this house."
"Yet I am going to venture on one more word," continued Harley,
unperturbed. He turned to Colin Camber. "I happen to be a member of the
Bar, Mr. Camber," he said, "although I rarely accept a brief. Have I
your authority to act for you?"
"I am grateful, Mr. Harley, and I leave this unpleasant affair in your
hands with every confidence."
Camber stood up, bowing formally.
The expression upon the inflamed face of Inspector Aylesbury was really
indescribable, and recognizing his mental limitations, I was almost
tempted to feel sorry for him. However, he did not lack self-
confidence, and:
"I suppose you have scored, Mr. Harley," he said, a certain hoarseness
perceptible in his voice, "but I know my duty and I am not afraid to
perform it. Now, Mr. Camber, did you, or did you not, at about twelve
o'clock last night----"
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