"Got a cigarette?" whispered Hughes to Bannard and mechanically the young man took out his case and offered it. The detective took one and then continued his minute examination of the room and its appointments.
At last he sat down in front of the desk and began to look through such papers as remained in place. There were many pigeonholes and compartments, which held small memorandum books and old letters and stationery.
Hughes opened and closed several books, and then suddenly turned to Bannard with this question.
"You haven't been up here to-day, have you, Mr. Bannard? I mean, before you came up this evening."
"N-no, certainly not," was the answer, and the man looked decidedly annoyed. "What are you getting at, Mr. Hughes?"
"Oh, nothing. Where have you been all day, Mr. Bannard?"
"In New York city.'
"Not been out of it?"
"I went out this morning for a bicycle ride, my favorite form of exercise. Am I being quizzed?"
"You are. You state that you were not up here, in this room, this afternoon, about three o'clock?"