Larose went on calmly, "Well, exactly as following upon the suggestion of Mr. Arnold Gauntry suspicion came to be focused upon me, so exactly also, in my opinion, had that same gentleman first made it possible that there should be something to be suspicious about. In short, he first committed the murder with the deliberate intention of later fastening the guilt upon me."
The Chief Commissioner's face was sterner and colder than ever. "Do you mean to tell me," he asked incredulously, "that you really believe this Arnold Gauntry committed a dreadful murder just in the hope that everyone would think it was you?" He raised his voice ever so little. "It is quite incredible, Mr. Larose."
Larose smiled. "Incredible or not, sir, all that has happened subsequently goes quite a long way to prove i
