"Of course I do! Otherwise, I wouldn't take up your case. Now don't
talk too much. I want to ask you a few questions. Answer them, and as
briefly as possible. I'll get you out of here as soon as I can. If I
hadn't been as slow as a carp I might have the right man here now in
your place."

"What do you mean, Colonel?"

"Eh? What's that? Did I say anything?" and the detective seemed
roused from a reverie, for he had spoken his last remarks in a low
voice.

"You spoke about a carp--the right man--"

"Oh, I--I was just thinking of something in Walton. Never mind me.
It's a bad habit I've been acquiring lately of thinking aloud. Now to
business!" and the colonel drew some papers from his pocket.

Darcy looked at his new friend in some surprise. Certainly the colonel
had spoken as though he might, at one time, have had a chance to get
the "right man." Did that mean the real murderer?

Darcy shook his head. His nerves were beginning to go back on him he
feared.

"Do you know Aaron Grafton?" asked the colonel.

"Oh, yes," replied Darcy. "Every one in town knows him as one of the
prominent merchants."