"Monday night he was going out of town," murmured Dowker, "but he was always a sporting blade, so perhaps he stopped for this fight and then went down next morning. I wonder where he met Lady Balscombe. Ah, well, it's nothing to do with the murder at all events; but I'd like to know if he really did leave town on the night."
Then he turned to Flip.
"Did the swell see Jem Mux?" he asked sharply.
"Rather," said Flip, "an' Jem 'e called 'im my lord, so 'e must 'ave been a bloomin' blindin' toff."
"My lord," repeated Dowker thoughtfully. "Oh! no doubt it was Lord Calliston. I wonder if he's had anything to do with the death of his mistress, it's curious if he stopped in town all night that he didn't go back to his chambers. About what time was this?" he asked aloud.
"About nine," said Flip promptly, "or harf-parst."
"Nine," echoed Dowker; "then in that case he must have stayed in town all night, as the last train to Shoreham is about half-past. I'll look into this business, but meantime I want to find out Desmond's little game."
Flip had now finished, his meal and was waiting impatiently for instructions from his chief.
"Wot's h'up, guv'nor?" he asked, his black beady eyes fixed on the detective.
Dowker glanced at his watch.