“I don't sleep when I'm on duty,” muttered Fletcher.
Hannasyde said: “All right, Sergeant. I shouldn't imagine that anyone would blame you if you did doze a bit, Fletcher. It must be dull work. I take it you didn't hear anything that might have been a shot last night?”
“No, sir, else I would have up and said at once. But we're close to the Exhibition Road, and there was a lot of cars went down it last night on account of a big do they had at the Albert Hall. Charity ball, I believe it was. One way and another, there was a bit more noise than usual, though not in this building, that I'll swear.”
“I see. Is your main front door open all night, or do you shut it?”
“Not till midnight, I don't.”
“But you do shut it then?”
“Yes, sir. That's my orders.”
“So that anyone entering the building after twelve would be obliged to ring for you to let them in?”
“That's right, sir.”
“Did anyone come in late last night?”