Again a pause. The coroner closed his eyes and stroked his heavy chin. He had not yet succeeded in chipping the smooth surface of the ice.
"At what precise hour then did you last see the deceased alive?" he asked, allowing his voice once more to appear harsh and his manner more peremptory.
"At nine o'clock or thereabouts, the night before last."
"Where was that?"
"He was in the lobby of the Veterans' Club and I just outside."
"He made certain remarks to the hall porter at that moment, which offended you very deeply, I understand."
"Mr. Philip de Mountford was not always guarded in his speech when he spoke to servants."
"And his remarks offended you?"
"My opinion on this point is of no consequence, I imagine."
"You then left the door step of the Veterans' Club, and a moment later the deceased joined you in the street."