‘Yes–some luck with a horse or two. Unluckily my bets were made on the course–there’s nothing to show that that’s how the money came in. They can’t disprove it, of course–but that’s just the sort of easy lie a fellow would invent if he didn’t want to show where the money came from.’

‘I agree. Still they will have to have a good deal more than that to go upon.’

‘Oh! I’m not afraid of actually being arrested and charged with the theft. In a way that would be easier–one would know, where one was. It’s the ghastly fact that all those people believe I took it.’

‘One person in particular?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘A suggestion–nothing more–’ Again Mr Parker Pyne waved his comfortable-looking hand. ‘There was one person in particular, wasn’t there? Shall we say Mrs Rustington?’

Llewellyn’s dark face flushed.

‘Why pitch on her?’

‘Oh, my dear sir–there is obviously someone whose opinion matters to you greatly–probably a lady. What ladies were there? An American flapper? Lady Marroway? But you would probably rise not fall in Lady Marroway’s estimation if you had brought off such a coup. I know something of the lady. Clearly then, Mrs Rustington.’

Llewellyn said with something of an effort,

‘She–she’s had rather an unfortunate experience. Her husband was a down and out rotter. It’s made her unwilling to trust anyone. She–if she thinks–’

He found it difficult to go on.

‘Quite so,’ said Mr Parker Pyne. ‘I see the matter is important. It must be cleared up.’

Evan gave a short laugh.

‘That’s easy to say.’

‘And quite easy to do,’ said Mr Parker Pyne.

‘You think so?’

‘Oh, yes–the problem is so clear cut. So many possibilities are ruled out. The answer must really be extremely simple. Indeed already I have a kind of glimmering–’

Llewellyn stared at him incredulously.

Mr Parker Pyne drew a pad of paper towards him and picked up a pen.

‘Perhaps you would give me a brief description of the party.’

‘Haven’t I already done so?’

‘Their personal appearance–colour of hair and so on.’

‘But, Mr Parker Pyne, what can that have to do with it?’

‘A good deal, young man, a good deal. Classification and so on.’

Somewhat unbelievingly, Evan described the personal appearance of the members of the yachting party.

Mr Parker Pyne made a note or two, pushed away the pad and said:

‘Excellent. By the way, did you say a wine glass was broken?’

Evan stared again.

‘Yes, it was knocked off the table and then it got stepped on.’

‘Nasty thing, splinters of glass,’ said Mr Parker Pyne. ‘Whose wine glass was it?’

‘I think it was the child’s–Eve.’

‘Ah!–and who sat next to her on that side?’

‘Sir George Marroway.’

‘You didn’t see which of them knocked it off the table?’