The colonel raised his eyebrows.
“Do you suspect me of murdering Mr. Pyke?” he asked, drily.
“I think, sir, you needn’t take up that line.” French’s tone was also a trifle dry. “I have explained that my question is a formal one, invariably put. You are not bound to answer it unless you wish.”
“If I don’t you will suspect me in reality, so I don’t see that I have much option. I was here, in this room.”
“Between what hours?”
“During the whole evening. I finished dinner about eight or a quarter past. Then I came in here and stayed here until I went to bed between one and two.”
“And no one came in during that time?”
“No one came in. I take nothing after dinner except a little whisky going to bed, and I have everything I want in the cupboard there. I’m writing a book at present and I don’t like to be disturbed in the evenings.”
“Then in the face of what you’ve said I presume I needn’t ask you if you heard any sound at the door or windows?”
“You need not.”