“And now about those 'phones on Saturday at five o'clock?”
But the manager could only repeat that he knew nothing more than he had already told the police. He could not recollect 'phoning at all about five o'clock; but if he had, it had been a vain attempt to get through to his hatter.
The police-officer asked him to sign his statement.
“We may not have to use it——”
The manager drew a deep breath.
“—but, of course, you must keep yourself within touch of our people. And now, Mr. Manager, what can you tell me about what has become of the occupants of rooms eleven and twelve?”
The manager looked over his papers.
“Mrs. Willett left an address in Devonshire to which her letters were to be forwarded. The hall-porter has it, I suppose.”
“Yes, but Mrs. Willett did not go there. The Devonshire hotel has no knowledge of her whereabouts beyond the fact that she wrote from here, and engaged a room on August 16th.”
The manager was unable to help.