‘We have had to arrest him on a serious charge—in fact, that of murder. I am endeavouring to trace his recent history and movements. I want to know if he did call, and if so, on what business.’
The manager pressed twice a button on his desk. An elderly clerk answered.
‘Mr Jones, do you recall our doing any business recently with a man called William Douglas from Devonshire?’
‘Yes, sir,’ the clerk replied. ‘We were in correspondence about an annuity, but the matter fell through.’
‘This gentleman is Mr Tanner, an Inspector from Scotland Yard. You might let him have all the particulars he wants.’ Then to Tanner, ‘If, sir, you will go with Mr Jones, he will tell you everything he can.’
Mr Jones led the way to a smaller office, and waved his visitor to a chair.
‘William Douglas?’ he said, bending over a vertical file. ‘Here we are, Mr Tanner.’
He withdrew a folder, and settling himself at his desk, took out some papers.
‘Here is the first letter. You will see it is an application from William Douglas of Myrtle Cottage, Yelverton, South Devon, for particulars of annuities. He wanted to purchase one which would bring him in £500 a year. Here is our reply enclosing the information and a form for him to fill in, and here is the form which he returned to us duly filled. You will notice he is aged sixty-six. We then wrote him this letter explaining that the annuity would cost him £4600, and asking his further instructions. He replied, as you see, to proceed with the matter, and he would send on the cheque in due course. We prepared the necessary documents, but received no further communication from Mr Douglas until about ten days later we had this note stating that he regretted the trouble he had given, but that he found himself unable to proceed with the matter at present. And so it stands.’
‘Then Douglas didn’t call here?’