“He seemed to think it had a great deal to do with him,” said Hannasyde, a dry note in his voice. “He threatened you with exposure, didn't he?”
“Oh, he threatened me with all sorts of things!” said Mesurier. “I can't say I took him very seriously, though. I knew perfectly well he wouldn't prosecute when he'd had time to think it over. I mean, it would be too silly, on the face of it.”
“Would it?” said Hannasyde. “You will admit, I imagine, that if he had prosecuted you for - er - borrowing the firm's money, your career would have been ruined.”
“I don't know so much about that,” Mesurier said uneasily. “Of course, it would have been damned unpleasant, but -”
“I am speaking entirely in your interests, Mr Mesurier, when I say that the best thing you can do is to tell me the truth about your movements on Saturday night. Think it over.”
“I don't need to. You can't prove it was my car that the bobby thought he saw - and even if it was it certainly wasn't me driving it.” He got up. “That's absolutely all I have to say.”
“Then I won't keep you any longer,” said Hannasyde. “But I still advise you to think it over.”
By the time the Superintendent left the Shan Hills Mining Company's premises it was past four o'clock. Awaiting him in the main hall of the building was his subordinate, one Sergeant Hemingway, a cheerful person with a bright eye and a persuasive manner. They went out together to the nearest tea-shop, and, over cups of strong tea, compared notes.
“The trouble is,” remarked the Sergeant at length, “there's too many people with good motives. I never like that kind of case, Super. Do you remember the Ottershaw murder? Took ten years off my life, that did.” He prodded one of the buns which the waitress had set before them, and shook his head. “Not at my age,” he said. “You ought to be able to have 'em up for foisting that kind of food on the public. Keep me awake all night, that would. Take this young Vereker chap. He's a new one on me, Super. Make anything of him?”
“No,” said Hannasyde slowly. “Nothing at all yet. He's a new one on me too. I suspect, a mighty slippery customer.”