"But the valet," he went on, "didn't mention any other visit last night, and I only wondered whether you might have gone up by the balcony door…"
"I did go up by the balcony door," returned Burke. "Ah, I see, I see. You're itching to turn inquisitor on me; I can smell it in the air. There's no good damned reason why I should tell it, but I will" He craned his neck aggressively. "I went up because I saw his light, and that's the only room he ever uses. Why shouldn't I go up by the balcony door? Much easier."
There was a strained and polite silence. Morgan coughed. No better spur could have been applied.
"I'd just as soon break down your theories by telling you. Humph. All this business about keys—! Listen. I went to see Depping last night just after dinner; it was about a quarter to nine, and just getting dark. And I’ll give Gideon Fell another tip, for what it's worth. Depping was leaving England.
"Don't ask me where or why. What I saw him about was business, and that doesn't concern you. But I'd be willing to swear he wasn't expecting anybody at all that night… I went up on the balcony and looked through the glass in the upper part of the door; you can see through the white squares in the chequering. He was standing by the desk with his coat, shirt, and collar off, and rummaging in the desk drawer. I couldn't see what he had in his hand. Still, I’ll admit it may have been a wig."
Morgan whisded.
"Pleases you, don't it," said the other, "when somebody really gets into a situation like that? Tell you frankly, it didn't please me when I heard about the murder this morning… Humph. I was telling you. When I tapped on the door, Depping almost jumped out of his shoes. He'd got a wild-eyed look about him. Wondered if he'd been drinkin' again. He said, 'Who's there?' Would he have looked like that if he'd been expecting somebody eh?"
"Well…"
"Well, nothing. He took a key out of his pocket — yes, out of his pocket — and came over and unlocked the door. He smelled of whisky. He said, 'I can't see you tonight.' I said, This is important, and I don't want you going off drinking again.' We talked for a while, but every minute or so he'd look at his watch; and he didn't ask me to sit down. Finally I said, 'All right, go to the devil,' and walked out… He locked the door after me, and put the key in his pocket. That's all I know. It may be still there."
"It wasn't there," said Morgan, "when Murch searched his clothes. And it wasn't in any of the suits in his wardrobe. I wonder…"