hard up and was suddenly cutting a bit of a
splash."
"And were you?"
"Yes--some luck with a horse or two. Unluck-ily
my bets were made on the course--there's
nothing to show that that's how the money came
in. They can't disprove it, of course--but that's
just the sort of easy lie a fellow would invent if
he didn't want to show where the money came
from."
"I agree. Still they will have to have a good deal
more than that to go upon."
"Oh! I'm not afraid of actually being arrested
and charged with the theft. In a way that would be
easier--one would know where one was. It's the
ghastly fact that all those people believe I took it."
"One person in particular?"
"What do you mean?"
"A suggestion--nothing more--" Again Mr.
Parker Pyne waved his comfortable-looking hand.
"There was one person in particular, wasn't there?
Shall we say Mrs. Rustington?"
Llewellyn's dark face flushed.
"Why pitch on her?"
"Oh, my dear sir--there is obviously someone
whose opinion matters to you greatly--probably
a lady. What ladies were there? An American flap-per?
Lady Marroway? But you would probably
rise not fall in Lady Marroway's estimation if you
had brought off such a coup. I know something