“Quite so, sir,” said P.C. Bloke. “Might I ’ave your lady’s full name?”
“Certainly. Virginia Stacey Peruke. What had she better wear when she goes to Court? Mourning?”
Virginia began to weep violently, and P.C. Bloke, who was writing, dropped his pencil and regarded her open-mouthed.
“Supposing,” said Roger suddenly, “supposing you took my statement.” Derry started and Rosemary stiffened in her chair. Virginia continued to sob explosively. “I mean, as the lady’s going, I may as well back her up.”
“Without doubt, sir,” said the constable greedily. “May I ’ave——”
“I first saw the coupé,” said Roger, “when it was almost upon us. The headlights picked it up and enabled me to see right into the car. As our chauffeur applied his brakes, the man who was driving the coupé——”
“ ‘The woman,’ I think you mean, sir.”
“No, no,” said Roger calmly. “It was a man driving. As I was saying, he——”
“But the lady’s stated——”
“Has she?” said Captain Chase, stifling a yawn. “Oh, well, I can’t help that. He had a hand on the wheel, and——”