"Well, because it is rumoured that she had been seen late one night walking along the river-bank, near the spot where she was found, accompanied by a strange man."
"A strange man?" he echoed, his interest increased. "Did anyone see him sufficiently close to recognise him?"
"I believe not," I answered, hesitating at that moment to tell him all I knew. "The local police are making active inquiries, I believe."
"I wonder who it could have been?" Sir Bernard exclaimed reflectively. "Mrs. Courtenay was always so devoted to poor Henry, that the story of the stranger appears to me very like some invention of the villagers. Whenever a tragedy occurs in a rural district all kinds of absurd canards are started. Probably that's one of them. It is only natural for the rustic mind to connect a lover with a pretty young widow."
"Exactly. But I have certain reasons for believing the clandestine meeting to have taken place," I said.
"What causes you to give credence to the story?"
"Statements made to me," I replied vaguely. "And further, all the evidence points to murder."
"Then why did the jury return an open verdict?"
"It was the best thing they could do in the circumstances, as it leaves the police with a free hand."
"But who could possibly have any motive for the poor little woman's death?" he asked, with a puzzled, rather anxious expression upon his grey brow.
"The lover may have wished to get rid of her," I suggested.
"You speak rather ungenerously, Boyd," he protested. "Remember, we don't know for certain that there was a lover in the case, and we should surely accept the rumours of country yokels with considerable hesitation."
"I make no direct accusation," I said. "I merely give as my opinion that she was murdered by the man she was evidently in the habit of meeting. That's all."
"Well, if that is so, then I hope the police will be successful in making an arrest," declared the old physician. "Poor little woman! When is the funeral?"
"I must send a wreath. How sad it is! How very sad!" And he sighed sympathetically, and sat staring with fixed eyes at the dark green wall opposite.
"It's time you caught your train," I remarked, glancing at the clock.
"No," he answered. "I'm dining at the House of Commons to-night with my friend Houston. I shall remain in town all night. I so very seldom allow myself any dissipation," and he smiled rather sadly.