This, of course, was entirely different -but my earlier performances had given me, so to speak, a certain official standing.

My father said:

"If we're ever going to solve this case, we've got to get some inside dope. We've got to know all about the people in that house. We've got to know them from the inside - not the outside. You're the man who can get that for us."

I didn't like it. I threw my cigarette end into the grate as I said:

"T?I'm a police spy? Is that it? I'm to get the inside dope from Sophia whom I love and who both loves and trusts me, or so I believe."

The Old Man became quite irritable. He said sharply:

"For Heaven's Sake don't take the commonplace view. To begin with, you don't believe, do you, that your young woman murdered her grandfather?"

I "Of course not. The idea's absolutely absurd."

"Very well - we don't think so either.

She's been away for some years, she has always been on perfectly amicable terms with him. She has a very generous income | and he would have been, I should say, delighted to hear of her engagement to you and would probably have made a handsome marriage settlement on her. We don't suspect her. Why should we? But you can make quite sure of one thing. If this thing isn't cleared up, that girl won't marry you.

From what you've told me I'm fairly sure of that. And mark this, it's the kind of crime that may never be cleared up. We may be reasonably sure that the wife and her young man were in cahoots over it -but proving it will be another matter.

There's not even a case to put up to the D.P.P. so far. And unless we get definite evidence against her, there'll always be a nasty doubt. You see that, don't you?"

Yes, I saw that.

The Old Man then said quietly:

"Why not put it to her?"

"You mean - ask Sophia if I -" I stopped.

The Old Man was nodding his head vigorously. r "Yes, yes… I'm not asking you to worm your way in without telling the girl what you're up to. See what she has to say about it.". -E And so it came about that the following day I drove down with Chief Inspector | Taverner and Detective Sergeant Lamb to Swinly Dean.