“My husband’s the caretaker, sir,” she answered, “but he’s out at present. Is it anything I can do?”
“Probably you can,” said French, with his most winning smile. “I’m looking for the lady and gentleman who came in on last Monday night. They arrived by a late train and weren’t here till after midnight.”
“Oh yes. Mr. and Mrs. Perrin?”
“That’s right. Which flat have they taken?”
“Number Nineteen. That’s the top one on the right of the stairs.”
“Thank you. Do you know if they are in at present?”
“Mrs. Perrin is out. I saw her go about half an hour ago. So far as I know, Mr. Perrin is in.”
“Thanks. I’ll just go up and see.”
French returned to the taxi.
“The woman is out, but Pyke is supposed to be upstairs in Number Nineteen flat. You, Harvey, will stay in the entrance hall and watch the stairs and lift. Take him without fail if we miss him above. If the woman appears, don’t show up, but let her go in. Carter, you come upstairs with me.”