That was a queer thing--a very queer thing! He flung up his eyebrows and twitched the corner of his mobile mouth.
"Your _brother_, Miss Duggan? I see. And how long ago was it that he bought that pistol, may I ask? And for what purpose?"
She gave an uneasy laugh which ended in a little sob that brought a look of pity to his eyes.
"Oh--ages and ages! Quite a couple of years ago, I think. Ross and a fellow-officer who was here for the fishing got it together. Ross had thought of a new idea for killing the big salmon after they had been played so long, and though exhausted were brought to shore alive. Everyone laughed at him, of course, and the thing never turned out to be anything; but Ross's idea was to shoot them as soon after swallowing the hook as was possible, and the soundless pistol wouldn't frighten the other fish. It was a ridiculous idea--but Ross imagined it would be more humane, though not nearly so much sport from the fisherman's point of view, as you know, Mr. Deland--and he tried it only once. He was teased out of it after that."
"I really don't know ... what became of it. I never saw it again, and, in fact, forgot all about it. But of course, Mr. Deland, Ross couldn't--_couldn't!_--oh, I beg of you, don't think of such a terrible thing for one instant! Ross adored his father _always_, in spite of the bad blood between them of later years."
"Quite so. Only, naturally, in the pursuit of duty one must ask all manner of irrelevant questions. You understand that, Miss Duggan, I hope? Of course your brother Ross would not think of such a thing. But if he is the only possessor of an air-pistol, well, naturally, circumstantial evidence will be rather unpleasant for him--unless something else turns up. I'd like to see your brother, if you please, and have a little chat with him. And then he will show me the--your father, and let me make a little perfunctory examination.... By the way, how far away is the nearest police-station?"
"A matter of three miles. But the men have motorcycles, and should be here at any moment. Hark! that's Rhea's bell, isn't it? No doubt they have already come. Oh, Mr. Deland, _what_ shall I say to them? I don't feel as though I could face a stranger _now_!"