“There were one thing,” he said, slowly, “but I don’t believe as ’ow it could have ’ad anything to do with it. A little before ten there were a ring at the office door. I went to open, but there weren’t no one there. I didn’t think naught of it, because children do ring sometimes just by way o’ mischief. But there weren’t no children there so far as I could see.”
“How far is this door that you opened from the boiler-house?”
“At t’other end o’ the building. Two ’undred yards, maybe.”
“Is that the only door?”
“No, sir, there be a gate near the boilers for lorries, but people going to the office use the other.”
“Is the large gate locked at night?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Who keeps the key?”
“I do. There’s a key in the office that any o’ the gentlemen can get if they wants, but I carry one with me.”
For some moments French sat thinking, then a fresh point struck him.