“Oh, well, that is not quite the same thing, you know. Who has ever opened or closed it for you?”
“Gething; and not once or twice, but scores, I suppose I might say hundreds of times. But always in my presence.”
“I understand that, sir. Any one else besides Mr. Gething?”
Mr. Duke hesitated.
“No,” he said slowly, “no one else. He was the only one I trusted to that extent. And I had reason to trust him,” he added, with a touch of defiance.
“Of course, sir. I recognise that,” French answered smoothly. “I am only trying to get the facts clear in my mind. I take it, then, that the deceased gentleman was the only person, other than yourself, who ever handled your key? It was not within reach of any one in your house; your servants, for example?”
“No, I never let it lie about. Even at night I kept it attached to me.”
The Inspector rose from his chair.
“Well, sir,” he said politely, “I’m sorry to have kept you so long. Just let me take your finger prints to compare with those in the safe, and I have done. Shall I ring up for a taxi for you?”
Mr. Duke looked at his watch.