"Oh, we've done that," said Hannasyde. "You helped a lot, you know."
"Did I?" said Mr. Harte. "I say, you're not pulling my leg, are you?"
"No, you really did help. When I found the revolver this morning I was sure Roberts was the man I was after, but I wasn't sure that the department would succeed in tracing the gun. You told him I'd found the gun and the fuse, and that I knew the noise you all heard hadn't been caused by the shot that killed Mr. Clement Kane. Once I'd discovered the fuse the game was up, and he knew it. You led him to think that I suspected Pritchard; he saw his one chance of making a getaway and seized it. As soon as he'd got rid of you he shaved off his beard and moustache and caught the eleven-thirty train to town. Sergeant Hemingway was shadowing him, and he was taken into custody at three this afternoon—detained for inquiries."
Mr. Harte looked a little dubious. "Well, I don't see that I did much," he said candidly. "I mean, I never knew I was doing anything."
"Never mind," said Hannasyde. "You made him run, and that was what I wanted him to do." He accepted the glass Jim Kane was holding out to him. "Thank you."
Lady Harte got up and shook him vigorously by the hand. "Well, really, I think we owe you a debt of gratitude, Superintendent!" she said. "You've cleared the whole thing up most satisfactorily. I for one am extremely grateful to you."
This sentiment was echoed by Jim and Miss Allison.
Sir Adrian, sipping his whisky, said: "I congratulate you, Superintendent. An astonishingly difficult case."
Hannasyde looked a trifle embarrassed and made haste to disclaim any extraordinary astuteness.
"Nonsense!" said Lady Harte briskly. "You've done a very fine piece of work, hasn't he, Aunt Emily?"
Emily, who was feeling tired, said: "I dare say he's been very clever; but I'm not at all surprised. I never did like that Roberts." She gave her shawl a twitch and added with a certain grim satisfaction: "I always said those Australian Kanes were an encroaching lot."