`Unfortunately, no. You see, as I told you, I have never before stopped at Bitton's house. Mr and Mrs Bitton were away when I first arrived. They returned last night. I am told, but I only came back from my week-end this morning, and both were out of the house.'
`You wouldn't recognize her, then, if you saw her?'
`I'm afraid not.'
'Before you go, though,' Hadley suggested, `isn't there something you want to tell us?'
Arbor had risen with almost a shake of relief. He was buttoning his coat slowly, so as not to `seem in a hurry; but he stopped. `Tell you? I don't understand.'
`Any hints, or instructions, Mr Arbor? A valuable manuscript virtually belonging to you has been stolen, you know. Aren't you interested in, recovering it? It would seem that you are very easily diverted from the loss of a ten-thousand pound possession, considering the trouble you took to acquire it. Aren't you making any inquiries at all?'
Arbor, Rampole sensed, had been dreading that question. But he did not immediately speak. He adjusted his hat to a nicety, drew on his gloves, and hooked his umbrella over his arm.
`Just so,' he agreed. `But you are forgetting something. I want no unpleasantness in this matter, gentlemen; I have already outlined my reasons. I prefer not to use the assistance of the police. But I assure you I have not been idle. I have made certain contacts and leads which are — excuse me — not open to you. Good day, gentlemen.'
After he had gone there was a long silence. An expression of malignancy was on General Mason's face. He moved his hands in the air after the fashion of a burlesque hypnotist.
`Hocus-pocus,' he muttered. 'Allagazam. I hope you haven't got any more witnesses, Hadley. That's enough. First hats, and then love-affairs, and now manuscripts; It hasn't helped any. It's only mixed us up worse… What did you make of our aesthete?'