"
"Of course," Francis remarked presently, "this may have been
quite a purposeless affair. The deed may have been committed by
a man who was practically a lunatic, without any motive or reason
whatever."
"Precisely so, sir," the detective agreed.
"But, all the same, I don't think it was."
"Neither do I, sir."
Francis smiled slightly.
"Shopland," he said, "if there is no further external evidence to
be collected, I suggest that there is only one person likely to
prove of assistance to you."
"And that one person, sir?"
"Miss Daisy Hyslop."
"The young lady whom I have already seen?"
Francis nodded.
"The young lady whom you have already seen," he assented. "At
the same time, Mr. Shopland, we must remember this. If Miss
Hyslop has any knowledge of the facts which are behind Mr.
Bidlake's murder, it is more likely to be to her interest to keep
them to herself, than to give them away to the police free gratis
and for nothing. Do you follow me?"
"Precisely, sir."
"That being so," Francis continued, "I am going to make a
proposition to you for what it is worth. Where were you going
when I met you this morning, Shopland?"
"To call upon you in Clarges Street, sir."
"What for?"
"I was going to ask you if you would be so kind as to call upon
Miss Daisy Hyslop, sir.
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