Crumb interrupted him with a gesture. He didn’t want the officer to go so far that it might embarrass him to retract.
“Ah!” he exclaimed, a light of understanding illuminating his face. “I believe I have it. What was the message? I think I can explain it.”
“We think you can, too,” agreed the sergeant, “seein’ you phoned the message.”
“No, but I didn’t,” said Crumb, “although I guess it may have come over my phone all right. I’ll tell you what I know about it. A car drove up a little while after dinner, and a man came to the door. He was a stranger. He asked if I had a phone, and if he could use it. He said he wanted to phone an important and confidential message to his wife. He emphasized the ‘confidential,’ and there was nothing for me to do but go in the other room until he was through. He was only a minute or two talking, and then he called me. He wanted to pay for the use of the phone. I didn’t hear what he said over the phone, but I guess that explains the matter. I’ll be careful next time a stranger wants to use my phone.”
“I would,” said the sergeant dryly. “Would you know him if you saw him again?”
“I sure would,” said Crumb.
They rose to go.
“Nice little place you have here,” remarked one of them, looking around.
“Yes,” said Crumb, “it is very comfortable. Wouldn’t you like to look it over?”
“No,” replied the officer. “Not now—maybe some other time.”