Page:Bailey - Call Mr Fortune (Dutton, 1921).djvu/260

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THE BUSINESS MINISTER
249

I cannot help your investigations. I believe I had better catch my train. Good afternoon."

"You know, I begin to like that fellow. He's so damned honest," said Reggie.

"Cold-blooded fish," said Lomas. "Begad, he don't know how near he was to dead. Did you ever hear anything less plausible than that yarn of his? If we didn't know it was true we wouldn't believe a word of it. Good God, suppose Hall hadn't been down here watching! We should have had the outside facts. Sandford, who had been accused and suspended by Kimball, suddenly comes down to Kimball's house, meets him, quarrels with him, and throws him into the lake."

"And the men working in the park a little way off just saw the struggle, just heard Kimball call out that he was murdered," said Reggie. "Don't forget the men. They're a most interesting touch. He always thought of everything, did Mr. Kimball. He had them there, just the right distance for the evidence he wanted. I don't know if you see the full significance of those men working in the park."

Lomas sat down. "I don't mind owning I thought they were accidental."

"My dear chap! Oh, my dear chap, there was very little accidental in the vicinity of the late Kimball. They were there to give evidence that would hang Sandford. And that proves Kimball didn't