To have got into your wifes room, a strangermust have come through the arched doorway into the courtyard.
But we have the united assurance of the guard, the cook and the house-boy that nobody did so.
Dr Leidner sprang up.
What do you mean? What do you mean?
Pull yourself together, man, said Dr Reilly quietly.
I know its a shock, but its got to be faced.
The murderer didnt come from outside so he must have come from inside.
It looks as though Mrs Leidner must have been murdered by a member of your own expedition.
Chapter 12.
I Didnt Believe
No.
No!
Dr Leidner sprang up and walked up and down in an agitated manner.
Its impossible what you say, Reilly.
Absolutely impossible.
One of us?
Why, every single member of the expedition was devoted to Louise!
A queer little expression pulled down the corners of Dr Reillys mouth.
Under the circumstances it was difficult for him to say anything, but if ever a mans silence was eloquent his was at that minute.
Quite impossible, reiterated Dr Leidner.
They were all devoted to her, Louise had such wonderful charm.
Everyone felt it.
Dr Reilly coughed.
Excuse me, Leidner, but after all thats only your opinion.
If any member of the expedition had disliked your wife they would naturally not advertise the fact to you.
Dr Leidner looked distressed.
True quite true.
But all the same, Reilly, I think you are wrong.
Im sure everyone was fond of Louise.
He was silent for a moment or two and then burst out:
This idea of yours is infamous.
Its its frankly incredible.
You cant get away from er the facts, said Captain Maitland.
Facts?
Facts?
Lies told by an Indian cook and a couple of Arab house-boys.
You know these fellows as well as I do, Reilly, so do you, Maitland.
Truth as truth means nothing to them.
They say what you want them to say as a mere matter of politeness.
In this case, said Dr Reilly dryly, they are saying what we dont want them to say.
Besides, I know the habits of your household fairly well.
Just outside the gate is a kind of social club.
Whenever Ive been over here in the afternoon Ive always found most of your staff there.
Its the natural place for them to be.
All the same I think you are assuming too much.
Why shouldnt this man this devil have got in earlier and concealed himself somewhere?
I agree that that is not actually impossible, said Dr Reilly coolly.
Let us assume that a stranger did somehow gain admission unseen.
He would have to remain concealed until the right moment (and he certainly couldnt have done so in Mrs Leidners room, there is no cover there) and take the risk of being seen entering the room and leaving it with Emmott and the boy in the courtyard most of the time.
The boy. Id forgotten the boy, said Dr Leidner.