Page:Fletcher - The Mortover Grange Affair.pdf/250

 and who, knowing that Wraypoole was off, put Wraypoole's money in his pocket, see!"

"So Wraypoole's suspected no longer?" suggested Stainsby.

"I think we can dismiss him!" assented Wedgwood.

"Who's suspected now, then?" demanded the apprentice.

But Wedgwood only laughed. Stainsby had been useful enough, and he should have his reward, but there was no reason why he should be taken into full confidence. For now, consequent on Thomas Wraypoole's tardy admission Wedgwood thought he saw daylight.

Levigne! That, in all probability, was the man he wanted to get hold of—not, perhaps for actual guilt as regards the murder of John Wraypoole, but as one who knew the real truth in the case and could point to the murderer. From an early stage of his investigations, Wedgwood had felt that there was somebody in the background, accessory before or after the crime who could tell a great deal if he or she would, and he had an instinctive feeling now, after Thomas Wraypoole's reluctant admission that Levigne was the man. Levigne was closely concerned with the affairs of the newly-found colliery company; it was he who had negotiated the sale of the Mortover estate to that com-