夜雨聆风What about motive? An unpleasant qualm shot across my mind as it oc-curred to me that Judith might be involved. I had good reason to knowhow business-like their relations were – but would the general public be-lieve that? Would a cynical police officer believe it? Judith was a verybeautiful young woman. An attractive secretary or assistant had been themotive for many crimes. The possibility dismayed me.
I considered Allerton next. Could there be any reason for doing awaywith Allerton? If we had to have a murder I would prefer to see Allertonthe victim! One ought to be able to find motives easily for doing away withhim. Miss Cole, though not young, was still a good-looking woman. Shemight, conceivably, be actuated by jealousy if she and Allerton had everbeen on intimate terms, though I had no reason to believe that that wasthe case. Besides, if Allerton was X –
I shook my head impatiently. All this was getting me nowhere. A foot-step on the gravel below attracted my attention. It was Franklin walkingrapidly towards the house, his hands in his pockets, his head thrust for-ward. His whole attitude was one of dejection. Seeing him thus, off guard,I was struck by the fact that he looked a thoroughly unhappy man.
I was so busy staring at him that I did not hear a footfall nearer at hand,and turned with a start when Miss Cole spoke to me.
‘I didn’t hear you coming,’ I explained apologetically as I sprang up.
She was examining the summer-house.