“Did you know the late Mr Matthews well?”
Rumbold smiled faintly. “I doubt whether anyone did, Superintendent. I certainly knew him.”
“Perhaps you can help me over a small matter,” Hannasyde said. “Did Mr Matthews ever make any mention to you of any business in which he was interested?”
Rumbold frowned. “I don't think I quite understand. Do you mean some speculative venture? He did once or twice ask my opinion of investments he thought of making.”
“No, that wasn't what I meant. You don't know whether he was engaged in any business which his family didn't know about?”
,He never mentioned it to me if he was,” answered Rumbold. “What sort of a business?”
“That I can't tell you. I thought it possible Mr Matthews might have confided in you.”
Rumbold shook his head. “No, he never spoke of anything like that.”
Hannasyde sighed, and said: “He seems to have been very reticent. Tell me, did you happen to see him on the day he died?”
“No, I was away. I only got back last week.”