Roger, too, had risen, and was looking greatly disturbed. “If policemen are going to infest the place I shall have to go,” he said. “It isn't that I'm afraid I shan't be comfortable, because I've tried the camp-bed and it isn't bad. What I mean is, I've slept in many worse. But I don't like policemen. Some people feel the same about cats. Always know the instant one comes into the room, and begin to get creepy. Not that I've any objection to cats, mind you. Far from it. In fact, if I had to be bothered with any sort of animal, I think I should choose a cat.”
“Well, I wouldn't,” said Antonia, who had happened to listen to this. “They're inhuman things - though I suppose there are cats and cats.”
“There you are, then,” Roger pointed out. “But it's no use telling me there are policemen and policemen, because it wouldn't be true. It's always puzzled me what anyone ever wanted policemen for except to stand about at cross-roads, sticking out their hands, and even that seems to me the kind of job anyone else could do as well, if not better.”
“I wish you wouldn't talk such drivel,” said Antonia. “Anybody would think you were going to have one as a pet. And if other people directed traffic instead they'd be policemen, so I don't see that it would make much difference.”
Roger followed this argument carefully. “There's a fallacy in that,” he said. “I'm not sure where it is, and I'm not going to work it out, but the thing doesn't sound right to me, somehow.”
Any faint hope Hannasyde might have cherished of finding in Roger one normal member of the Vereker family vanished. He sighed, and transferred his attention to Kenneth.
Giles interposed before Antonia could continue the argument. “Shut up, Tony. Well, Roger, how are you? When did you arrive?”
“I'm getting tired of answering that question,” replied Roger, shaking hands. “I keep on telling everyone I landed yesterday - I'm glad you've come round, because it's a very awkward predicament, mine. I've run out of cash. They tell me you're one of Arnold's executors, so you'll be able to advance me some of the money. How much have you brought?”
“I haven't brought any,” answered Giles. “I can't advance you money in that haphazard fashion.”
The interest which had gleamed for a few moments in Roger's eye was effectually banished by this pronouncement. He relapsed into his usual quiescence, merely remarking in a discouraged way that if that was so, he couldn't see why Giles had troubled to come. “Not that I don't want to see you,” he added. “But there doesn't seem to me to be much point in it.”