‘He went out at once?’
‘He did, monsieur.’
‘Then he telephoned at about half-past ten that he could not return until later. Was that about the time?’
‘Rather earlier than that, I should think, monsieur. I don’t remember exactly, but I should think it was very little, if at all, past ten.’
‘About ten, you think? Can you tell me what words he used in that message?’
‘He said the accident was serious, and that he would be very late, and possibly might not get back before the morning.’
‘You told your mistress, I suppose? Did the guests hear you?’
‘No, monsieur, but Madame immediately repeated the message aloud.’
‘What happened then?’
‘Shortly after that, about 11.00 or 11.15, the guests began to leave.’