"He was," said Mr. Manley in ready agreement. "But the other's always possible."
"Yes; one has to bear every possibility in mind," said Mr. Flexen. "I've heard that he was a bad-tempered man."
"He was the most unpleasant brute I ever came across in my life," said Mr. Manley with heartfelt conviction.
"Then he had enemies?" said Mr. Flexen.
"Scores, I should think. But, of course, I don't know. Only I can't conceive his having had a friend," said Mr. Manley in a tone of some bitterness.
"Then it's certainly a case with possibilities," said Mr. Flexen in a pleased tone. "But I expect that the solution will be quite simple. It generally is."
He said it rather sadly, as if he would have much preferred the solution to be difficult.
"Let's hope so. A big newspaper fuss will be detestable for Lady Loudwater. She's a charming creature," said Mr. Manley.
"So I've heard. Do you know who the man was that Loudwater was making a fuss about?"
"I haven't the slightest idea. Probably the maid, Elizabeth Twitcher, will be able to tell you," said Mr. Manley.
Mr. Flexen walked across the room and drew the knife out of the pad of blotting-paper by the ring in its handle, and studied it.
