“Yes,” said Druce with some surprise. “That’s so, sir!”
“What did Mason do while this conversation was taking place?”
“Mason, sir? He showed ’er the way the same as wot I did.”
“Of course he did,” cut in Goodall with decision. “And I expect she wanted a deal of showing, didn’t she?”
“She did seem a bit mazed-like,” murmured Druce.
“I’ll warrant she did,” said the Inspector. “Just long enough for the murderer to slip in behind your backs and up the stairs in front of Mason.”
Druce went goggle-eyed. “Gosh! Who’d ’ave thought of that?”
“Not you, evidently,” returned Goodall. “If you had have done, your mate might still be alive. It’s no use, though, wasting time on regrets or recriminations.”
He stepped into the private room used by Day as his office.
“Is this door locked of an evening when the place closes?” he asked.