Another hesitation. `I didn't mean to speak so sharp,' she told him, moving sullenly in the chair. `Well, if it does you any good, I've been there a few weeks; something like that'

`That's better. How many flats on each floor?'

`Two. Two in each entry of the building.'

'So,' Hadley said, musingly, `you must have lived directly

across the way from Mr Driscoll. Did you know him?' `No. I've seen him, that's all.'

`Inevitable, of course. And passing in and out, you may have noticed whether he had visitors?'

`Sure I did. I couldn't help it. He had lots of people coming to see him.'

'I was thinking particularly of women.'

For a moment Mrs Larkin scrutinized him with an ugly eye. `Yes. There was women. But what about it? Live and let live, that's what I say. It was none of my business. But if you're going to ask me who the women were, you can save your breath. I don't know.'

`For instance,' said Hadley. He glanced over at the sheet of mauve notepaper. `You never heard the name "Mary used, did you?'