Page:Fletcher - The Mortover Grange Affair.pdf/52

 He looked knowingly at Wedgwood and Wedgwood nodded solemnly.

"Think you can assist, eh?" he suggested.

"Well, I know something," answered Stainsby with a smile. "May be of real importance. Anyway, after hearing all that's been said, and reading what's been in the newspapers, and especially what Mr. Thomas Wraypoole said before the Coroner, I felt I'd got to let out—in confidence—what I know, d'ye see?"

"To be sure!—very proper," said Wedgwood. "And—what is it?"

"This!" announced Stainsby, dramatically. "You know that evening that John Wraypoole was done in, round the corner here?"

"I know it!" assented Wedgwood. "Tuesday!"

"Tuesday it was! Well, that afternoon, about half-past four Mr. Thomas Wraypoole being out at the time, our telephone bell rang. I answered it and found it was John Wraypoole speaking. He"

"Half a minute!" interrupted the detective. "You knew his voice, I gather?"

"Yes! He's called up his brother on the phone many a time: usually did when he wanted to see him. I told him Thomas was out, and I didn't know what time he'd be in. So he gave me a message for him, which was that he wanted