Rich drew out one of the tall chairs, and sat down.
"One moment," he said. He seemed to be bracing himself. He put his hands on his knees, and studied them. "Before you ask any questions, there's something I'd better tell you. I'd better tell you—" here he looked up—"that I have no longer any legal right to the title of doctor."
"So," said H.M. without inflection. "Why?"
"Because I was struck off the medical register eight years ago. You'll look all this up, of course."
"Struck off for doing what?"
Rich hesitated. He nodded towards Courtney and Inspector Agnew.
"Are these your colleagues?" "Yes."
"Will what I say go no further.- wait! unless it's necessary as evidence, of course?"
"Yes, sir," replied Agnew, "I think we can promise you that much, anyhow."
"I was accused," Rich went on, again without looking up, "of doing exactly what Captain Sharpless, in all innocence (I hope) mentioned last night. While practicing as a psychiatrist, I was accused of taking advantage of a lady when she was under hypnotic influence."