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 the very time his brother was murdered he himself was at Henekey's?"

"He did!" assented Wedgwood. "And I've not the least doubt that he could: I'm quite sure he wouldn't boast that he could if he couldn't. Oh, yes, I've no doubt whatever that at seven o'clock, when John was murdered, Thomas was taking his ease at Henekey's wine-house—no doubt! But"

"Well?" asked the inspector as Wedgwood paused significantly. "But—what?"

"There may have been another man," answered Wedgwood, with a meaning glance. "Put up to it by Thomas! As I've said before—did John and Thomas meet that evening? Did John tell Thomas something which Thomas knew to be either against his own interests or the interest of somebody with whom he's closely concerned? Once more—there was plenty of time for the two brothers to meet between Thomas leaving his place in Wandsworth Road and his going to Henekey's."

The inspector rubbed his chin, reflecting over certain features of the case.

"What I didn't like about Thomas Wraypoole," he remarked presently, "was his indecent haste in rushing to Porteous Road the morning after his brother's death! Any right-minded man would have come here first."