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The picture actor was unperturbed. “You flatter me,” he answered. “Just how am I worrying you, Inspector?”

“You worry me because in this matter of Miss Shelah Fane’s murder you are quite defenseless. Not only do you possess no alibi, but of all those concerned, you were nearest to the scene of her death. You walked across lawn at very important moment, Mr. Van Horn. I could not worry about you more if you were own son.”

Van Horn grinned. “That’s kind of you, Inspector. I appreciate it. Yes—I am rather badly cast in the story of the crime. But I rely on you. As an intelligent man, you must realize that I could have had absolutely no motive for killing the poor girl. Until I joined her company to make this picture, I scarcely knew her, and all through our journey and the work together, we were on the friendliest terms.”

“Ah, yes.” Chan watched the actor’s face eagerly. “Were you likewise on friendly terms with Denny Mayo?” he inquired.

“Just what has Denny Mayo to do with all this?” Van Horn asked. Despite his best efforts, his expression was not quite so casual as he wanted it to be.

“May have much to do with it,” Charlie told him. “I seek to upearth facts. Maybe you assist me. I repeat—were you on friendly terms with Denny Mayo?”

“I knew him fairly well,” Van Horn admitted. “A most attractive chap—a wild Irishman—you never could tell what he was going to do next. Every one was very fond of him. His death was a great shock.”

“Who killed him?” Charlie asked blandly.