The Sergeant jumped. Hannasyde answered: “Had you reason, Mr Matthews?”
Randall smiled at him. “My very dear sir, I'm the heir. Now do let us understand each other! There's not the least need for you to ask me careful questions. I shall be delighted to answer anything you choose to ask me. In fact, I'm positively burning to assist you to track down the murderer.”
“Thank you,” said Hannasyde.
“Not at all,” replied Randall. “Only you mustn't be shy. You would like to know the state of my Bank balance, for one thing. That's not the sort of question I can answer offhand, but I will give you a letter of introduction to my Bank manager.”
“I should prefer it if you would give me an account of your movements on May 14th,” said Hannasyde.
“What could be easier? I was naturally at Newmarket,” answered Randall at once.
“You are fond of racing, Mr Matthews?”
“Very,” said Randall, moving over to his desk, and beginning to jot down something on a half-sheet of notepaper. “Returning to town after the 3.30 race, in the company of one Frank Clutterbuck, whose address I am going to give you, I came back to this flat, changed my clothes—vide my man Benson—and repaired to Duval's, a restaurant no doubt known to you. Mention my name to the maitre d' hotel. I was joined there by two friends, whose names and addresses I am at the moment writing down for you. From Duval's we went to the Palladium—Row B, in the stalls—8, 9, and 10. Leaving the Palladium shortly before the end of the performance, I became a slave to duty, and drove but I stupidly omitted to take the taxi-driver's number to South Street, where I made a belated but graceful appearance at Mrs Massingham's dance. I will give you her address too. Somewhere in the region of three o'clock I left South Street, came back to this flat, and went to bed.” He rose, and handed the sheet of paper to Hannasyde. “Where I remained, Superintendent, until Mr Giles Carrington rang me up, somewhere between eleven and twelve in the morning, to inform me that my uncle was dead, a medical inquiry in progress, and a police inquiry imminent.”
Hannasyde folded the paper, and put it away in his notebook. “Were you surprised, Mr Matthews?”
“Would not you be?” said Randall.