"Was he at the store the day of the--the day Mrs. Darcy was killed?"

"I don't remember. So many things happened--there were so many in the
place. As I think back, though, I don't remember seeing him."

"Very good. Did he ever do any business with you--I mean buy anything
in the store?"

"Why yes, I think very possibly he might. Most every one of prominence
in Colchester, at one time or another, has made purchases in our
store--some more, some less. No particular purchase made by Grafton
stands out in my mind, however."

"How about having his watch repaired?"

"I'd remember, I think, if I had fixed his watch. I'm sure I didn't.
He has a fine one, for I've seen him stop in front of our window and
compare his time with our chronometer."

"I see. Now another matter. Can you, in any way, account for the fact
that so many of the clocks in the store--clocks that, as I understand
it, ordinarily go for many days--stopped at different hours the night
of the killing? Can you explain that?"

Somewhat to the surprise of the colonel Darcy was silent for a moment.
Then the young man slowly answered:

"No. No, I can't explain it. I don't know what did it."

"Well, then I'll have to fish on that alone, I guess. I thought you,