Austin put down the paper in mute horror.
'I shall leave London to-morrow,' he said, 'it is a city of nightmares. How awful this is, Villiers!'
Mr. Villiers was sitting by the window quietly looking out into the street. He had listened to the newspaper report attentively, and the hint of indecision was no longer on his face.
'Wait a moment, Austin,' he replied, 'I have made up my mind to mention a little matter that occurred last night. It is stated, I think, that Crashaw was last seen alive in St. James's Street shortly after ten?'
'Yes, I think so. I will look again. Yes, you are quite right.'
'Quite so. Well, I am in a position to contradict that statement at all events. Crashaw was seen after that; considerably later indeed.'
'How do you know?'
'Because I happened to see Crashaw myself at about two o'clock this morning.'
'You saw Crashaw? You, Villiers?'
'Yes, I saw him quite distinctly; indeed, there were but a few feet between us.'