Free Find the Innocent by Roy Vickers

out with a sharpness that made Curwen jump. If a turtle dove had snarled and bitten him, he would hardly have been more surprised.
    Mr. Higstock was occupied with his client.
    â€œMr. Stranack, I advise you to submit to detention under protest and leave the Inspector and myself to discuss the matter. If we fail to agree, I shall apply at once for a writ of habeas corpus and you may rest assured that my application is likely to be successful.”
    â€œGood enough, Mr. Higstock! Many thanks! Inspector, I submit to detention under protest.”
    Curwen dived into his own extensive experience and came up empty handed.
    â€œI wished to get rid of my client,” simpered Higstock, as the door closed behind Benjoy and Stranack, “because it is necessary to admit that he may—or may not—be a liar. That does not affect the matter of conspiracy to murder.”
    Mr. Higstock waited until Curwen had lowered his eyebrows.
    â€œBefore a charge of conspiracy to murder can be sustained, you have to establish that the conspirators at least believed that it would be possible to commit the murder. I have evidence—and no doubt you have too—that these young men did not, before nine o’clock last night, believe it possible to set out in that Ford and murder Mr. Brengast, for the simple reason that they believed him to be in Madrid. I have ascertained that no one knew that deceased was paying a literally flying visit to England, except the deceased’s wife. Prove that they were in touch with Mrs. Brengast before that time, and you have your conspiracy. Not otherwise!”
    Back to the Madrid story and that cutting from The Times! Curwen mastered his irritation.
    â€œHalf a minute, Mr. Higstock! I’m relying on the movements of the Ford car and the lies of the suspected persons.”
    â€œIrrelevant to the charge of conspiracy!” pronounced Mr. Higstock. “You have evidence that the lock was operated. You have no evidence that a fourth man was employed for that purpose. You are therefore compelled to accept their statement that the lock was operated by one of themselves.”
    â€œBut what has the lock got to do with the murder?” demanded Curwen.
    â€œOh, nothing—nothing whatever! That is my point!” said the astonishing Mr. Higstock. “But it has a very great deal to do with whom you arrest. For instance,” he went on, “if you arrest all three you will know for certain that you are arresting one wholly innocent man. You have at present no means of refuting the statements of any one of them that he is the wholly innocent man.”
    Mr. Higstock allowed a pause for politeness before continuing:
    â€œMay I respectfully suggest, Inspector, that you get in touch with your own legal department and tell them what I have said. I will write down the precedents for you. I hope you will. I really would like to avoid all the bother of getting that writ.”
    Curwen grunted. Mr. Higstock thanked him profusely for the courteous forbearance shown to his client and himself.
    â€œDon’t think me unappreciative of your difficulties, Inspector. It must be very disturbing for you. You are accustomed to searching for the guilty. In this case you already have both guilty men under lock and key.”
    Mr. Higstock bowed himself to the door, where he turned.
    â€œBut—strictly between ourselves, Inspector—you will have to unlock those doors. You will have to let the guilty men go free until you have found the innocent man.”
    Having dropped what he would doubtless have called a “veritable bombshell”, Mr. Higstock slunk away.
    Curwen caught Benjoy’s eye and grinned.
    â€œVery well put, if you ask me! Find the Innocent Man. That’s a new one on me.”
    â€œA purely verbal paradox, sir.”
    â€œEh? Oh no, I wouldn’t call him that! He’s not a bad little bloke when you get to know him. He’s a