“Not at all. If my view of the case is correct, and I have every reason to

believe that it is, this man would rather risk anything than lose the ring.

According to my notion he dropped it while stooping over Drebber’s body, and did

not miss it at the time. After leaving the house he discovered his loss and

hurried back, but found the police already in possession, owing to his own folly

in leaving the candle burning. He had to pretend to be drunk in order to allay

the suspicions which might have been aroused by his appearance at the gate. Now

put yourself in that man’s place. On thinking the matter over, it must have

occurred to him that it was possible that he had lost the ring in the road after

leaving the house. What would he do, then? He would eagerly look out for the

evening papers in the hope of seeing it among the articles found. His eye, of

course, would light upon this. He would be overjoyed. Why should he fear a trap?

There would be no reason in his eyes why the finding of the ring should be

connected with the murder.

 

He would come. He will come. You shall see him within an hour?”

 

“And then?” I asked.

 

“Oh, you can leave me to deal with him then. Have you any arms?”

 

“I have my old service revolver and a few cartridges.”

 

“You had better clean it and load it. He will be a desperate man, and though I