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Newton-Stewart, and strike across country to New Galloway, but it’s a long road and keeps him hanging about much too close to the scene of the crime. In my opinion, his best way would be to come back to the road and go north-west by Bargrennan, Cairnderry, Creeside and Drumbain, and strike the railway at Barrhill. That’s about nine or ten miles by road. He could do it, going briskly, in an hour, or, as it’s a rough road, say an hour and a half. Say he finished the painting at 11 o’clock, that brings him to Barrhill at 12.30. From there he could get a train to Stranraer and Port Patrick, or even to Glasgow, or, of course, if he dumped the bicycle, he might take a motor-bus to somewhere. If I were you, I’d have a hunt in that direction.’
    The Sergeant glanced at his colleagues and read approval in their eyes.
    ‘And whae d’ye think, my lord, wad be the likeliest pairson to hae committed the crime?’ he inquired.
    ‘Well,’ said Wimsey, ‘I can think of half a dozen people with perfectly good motives. But the murderer’s got to be an artist, and a clever one, for that painting would have to pass muster as Campbell’s work. He must know how to drive a car, and he must possess, or have access to, a bicycle. He must be fairly hefty, to have carried the body up here on his back, for I see no, signs of dragging. He must have been in contact with Campbell after 9.15 last night, when I saw him leave the McClennan Arms alive and kicking. He must know the country and the people pretty well, for he obviously knew that Campbell lived alone with only a charwoman coming in, so that his early morning departure would surprise nobody. He either lives in the same way himself, or else had a very good excuse for being up and out before breakfast this morning. If you find a man who fulfils all these conditions, he’s probably the right one. His railway-ticket, if he took one, ought to be traceable. Or it’s quite possible I may be able to put my finger on him myself, working on different lines and with rather less exertion.’
    ‘Och, weel,’ said the Sergeant, ‘if ye find him, ye’ll let us know.’
    ‘I will,’ said Wimsey, ‘though it will be rather unpleasant, because ten to one he’ll be some bloke I know and like much better than Campbell. Still, it doesn’t do to murder people, however offensive they may be. I’ll do my best to bring him in captive to my bow and spear — if he doesn’t slay me first.’
    FERGUSON
    On his way back to Kirkcudbright, it occurred to Wimsey that it was more than time for tea, and, further, that it would be a good idea to visit Campbell’s cottage. He accordingly pulled up at the Anwoth hotel, and while voraciously filling himself up with potato-scones and ginger-cake, made out a rough list of possible suspects.
    At the end of the meal, the list stood as follows:
    Living in Kirkcudbright: 1. Michael Waters — 28 — 5 foot 10 inches — unmarried — living in lodgings with private latch-key — landscape painter — boasts of being able to counterfeit Campbell’s style — quarrelled with Campbell previous night and threatened to break his neck. 2. Hugh Farren — 35 — 5 foot 9 inches — figure and landscape painter — particularly broad in the shoulder — married — known to be jealous of Campbell — lives alone with a wife who is apparently much attached to him. 3. Matthew Gowan — 46 — 6 foot 1 inch — figure and landscape painter, also etcher — unmarried — house with servants — wealthy — known to have been publicly insulted by Campbell — refuses to speak to him.
    Living in Gatehouse of Fleet: 4. Jock Graham — 36 — 5 foot 11 inches — unmarried — staying at Anwoth Hotel — portrait painter — keen fisherman — reckless — known to be carrying on a feud with Campbell and to have ducked him in the Fleet after being assaulted by him. 5. Henry Strachan — 38 — 6 foot 2 inches — married — one child, one servant — portrait painter and illustrator — secretary of golf-club — known to have quarrelled with