away and left no clue to his identity."

The judge waived this aside.

"Clues, sir? If you mean physical evidence the eye can
apprehend, I grant it; the murderer has got away; certainly he's
been given all the time he needed, but what about the motive that
prompted the crime? An intelligently conducted examination such
as I am willing to undertake might still bring it to light.
Isn't it known that Norton was attacked a fortnight ago as he was
leaving Belle Plain? He recovers and is about to be married to
Miss Malroy when he is shot at the church door; I'll hazard the
opinion the attack was in the nature of a warning for him to keep
away from Belle Plain. Now, had he a rival? Clear up these
points and you get a clue!" The judge paused impressively.

"Tom Ware has acted in a straightforward manner. He's stated
frankly he was opposed to the match, that when he heard about it
on his way to Memphis he turned back and made every effort to get
to the church in time to stop it if he could," said Mr. Saul.

"Mr. Ware need not be considered," observed the judge.

"Well, there's been a heap of talk."

"If he'd inspired the firing of the fatal shot he'd have kept
away from the church. No, no, Mr. Saul, is there anybody
hereabout who aspired to Miss Malroy's hand--any rejected
suitor?"