Page:The Black Camel (IA blackcamel0000earl).djvu/263

our solution, madam, though up to moment of present speaking, only the gods know what. I think that is all we now require of you. Do I speak correctly, Chief?”

“Yes, that’s right, Charlie. Mr. MacMaster, I’m obliged to your wife and you for this visit.”

“Not at all, sir,” the old man answered. “Come, Mother. I—I’m not quite comfortable about this. Perhaps you've talked a wee bit too much.”

“Nonsense, Thomas. No honest man is ashamed of his name—and I’m sure Arthur Mayo is honest. If he’s not, he’s sore changed from what he was when we knew him.” The old lady rose.

“As for the alibi,” her husband said stubbornly, “we stick to that—through thick and thin. Tarneverro was with us from eight to eight-thirty, and if the murder was done in that half-hour, he didn’t do it. To that I'll swear, gentlemen.”

“Yes, yes—I suppose you will,” the Chief replied. “Good evening, sir. Madam—a great pleasure to meet you.”

The old couple went out, and the Chief looked at Charlie. “Well, where are we now?” he inquired.

“Tangled in endless net, as always,” Chan answered. “One thing I know—Tarneverro waits for me at Young Hotel. I will call him at once and request his presence here.”

When he had done so, he came back and sat down beside his superior. His brows were contracted in thought.

“The case spreads itself,” he remarked. “Tarneverro was Denny’s brother. That ought to give us big boost toward our solution, but other way about, it only increases our worry. Why did he not tell me