"I can understand that, sir."
"And now I want to hear all about that affair yesterday."
"I expect you've already heard what there is to tell."
"Of course I've had my wife's and Nita's story, but I want yours. I may need your statement for official purposes, you see."
"I would rather not have to do anything official," I replied. An appearance as witness in any police proceedings was unthinkable.
"Don't let that worry you; I'll make it all right. But the affair was by far the most serious of the sort we've had, and I want all the facts available. That's all."
He listened to my description of the scene; questioned me about the men in it particularly, asking if I could recognize them; and laughed outright at the story of the scramble for the money.
"It was a stroke of genius, boy; positive genius," he declared, and asked me how much I had thrown away. A very German touch. I expected him to offer to repay me; but he spared me that and let me continue the story. When I came to the closing part, I made the most of Hans' share, declaring that if it had not been for him the result would have been very serious, and that he had acted like the brave man he was.
It made an impression; but he did not evince anything like as much interest as in the other parts.
"You've left out one thing, haven't you, my boy? Something that pleased me exceedingly and set me thinking. I mean about your being able to drive the car. Nita says you not only drove like an expert, but were able to put the engine right."