To his delight, the man did not deny it. Oh yes, he knew that, but he had not heard it pass and he didn’t know when it had left or returned.
“Then how did you know it had been out? Did Colonel Domlio tell you?”
“No, he didn’t say naught about it. I knew by the mud on the car and the petrol that had been used.”
“Pretty smart of you, that,” French said, admiringly. “So there was mud on her? Was she clean the night before?”
“No. He had her out in the afternoon and got her a bit dirty. But he said it was late and for me not to bother with her till the next day, and so I let her alone.”
“Naturally. And was much petrol gone?”
“ ’Bout two gallons.”
“Two gallons,” French repeated, musingly. “That would run her about forty miles, I suppose?”
“Easy that and more.”
“You live at the lodge gate, don’t you, Coombe?”