Page:The Black Camel (IA blackcamel0000earl).djvu/184

“Ah, good morning, Inspector,” Tarneverro said. “Good morning, Mrs. MacMaster. And how are you, sir?”

“A wee bit lost,” answered the old man. “I can not feel just right and not be at my work. But Mother tells me I must learn to rest.”

“You certainly must—you have it coming to you,” Tarneverro smiled. “Inspector, I am happy to see you on the job at this early hour. You are no doubt here to verify my alibi, and that is quite fitting and proper. Have you asked these two friends of mine the important question?”

“I was approaching it with suitable preparation.”

“Ah, yes,” the fortune-teller continued. “Mr. MacMaster, in the matter of that unfortunate affair last night—I happen to have been one of the few people in the Islands acquainted with the poor girl, and it is important that I establish to the Inspector’s satisfaction the fact that I was elsewhere at the moment of her death. Luckily I can establish it—with your help.” He turned to Charlie. “After I left you in the lounge last night, you saw me return to my conversation with Mr. and Mrs. MacMaster. Mr. MacMaster will tell you what happened after that.”

The old man frowned thoughtfully. “Mr.—er—Tarneverro suggested that we go out on the veranda—I believe you call it a lanai—that looks across the palm court. We did so, and for the matter of a half-hour sat talking about the old days in Queensland. Finally Mr. Tarneverro had a look at his watch. He said it was thirty minutes after eight and that he must leave us, as he had a dinner engagement down the beach. We stood up——”