Her girlish voice rang out, and Mrs. Bunting could hear every word
that was said.

The whole party gathered round, listening eagerly. "Well, no."
He spoke very deliberately. "I doubt if that particular murderer
ever will be hanged."

"You mean that you'll never catch him?" the girl spoke with a touch
of airy impertinence in her clear voice.

"I think we shall end by catching him--because"--he waited a moment,
then added in a lower voice--"now don't give me away to a newspaper
fellow, Miss Rose--because now I think we do know who the murderer
in question is--"

Several of those standing near by uttered expressions of surprise and
incredulity.

"Then why don't you catch him?" cried the girl indignantly.

"I didn't say we knew where he was; I only said we knew who he was,
or, rather, perhaps I ought to say that I personally have a very
strong suspicion of his identity."

Sir John's French colleague looked up quickly. "De Leipsic and
Liverpool man?" he said interrogatively.

The other nodded. "Yes, I suppose you've had the case turned up?"

Then, speaking very quickly, as if he wished to dismiss the subject