‘I suppose he hadn’t found it out. That evening was the first time he had had them on.’
‘I see.’ Tanner nodded his head, then continued, ‘What time did he go out, Mr Lewis?’
‘About eight or a bit after.’
‘And when did he get back?’
‘A little before half-past eleven. I brought him some whisky, and when I was coming out of his room the clock struck the half-hour.’
‘And he didn’t go out again that night?’
‘No, he went to bed about twelve. I heard him go up.’
‘I see. And what was the next occasion he wore those shoes?’
‘There wasn’t no next occasion. That was the only time he had them on.’
Tanner considered. This seemed to be pretty conclusive, but he was anxious to obtain even stronger evidence. After a moment he went on again.