“You have given your facts, Mawson,” he said presently. “Now give your opinions. First, why was Carlow murdered?”

“Personal opinions, mind. Because he owed money for carcases to a cattle or sheep lifter, or owed money for skins to a possum trapper. He tried to put it over a man who would not stand for it.”

“Sound,” Bony murmured. “Who murdered Edward Carlow?” Mawson slowly shook his head, saying:

“Wouldn’t care to guess.”

“We’ll find out. Sounds like the doctor arriving. Howd’you get along with him?”

“All right. Good man with babies, they say. Co-operative with us. Done a lot to get the local hospital on its feet.”

Mawson rose and crossed to open the door. He was there a half-minute before welcoming Dr Lofty, and when the doctor entered Bony was ready to receive him. Lofty had the physical appearance of a jockey, the eyes of a hypnotist, the voice of seduction. Mawson’s introduction of Bony produced momentary shock, followed by keen interest.

“A privilege, Inspector!” he drawled, and produced a foolscap envelope which he dropped upon the desk.

“Good of you to come round,” murmured Bony, and they all sat.“Your P.M. report? Thank you. Before we discuss it, I would be obliged did you concentrate on your post mortem on the body of Edward Carlow. I’ve had small opportunity to study that case as presented by my Department’s Official Summary and other data. The scene at least is common with this last crime.”

“As you say, Inspector, the scene is the same in both murders,” agreed Lofty. “One was drowned, the other strangled. One had put up a fight forlife, the other hadn’t been given even that chance.”

“We begin, Doctor,” Bony said. “You knew Edward Carlow when alive, of course?”

“Yes.”

“Was he ever your patient?”

“On several occasions. For minor causes. Accidents. The man was a perfect specimen… until he took to drink. At the time of his death the liver was spotted, one kidney was diseased, and he was unhealthily fat. Still, he would have lived for years. My grandfather drank three bottles of whisky every day during the last four years of his life, which ended at a hundred and two. I wanted to look inside him, but the relations wouldn’t have it. Most interesting old chap.”