"Why?" said the sergeant at once.
The butler's mouth twitched nervously. He said after an infinitesimal pause: "I think I should have seen him go had I been in the servants' quarters."
"You would, eh? Were you friendly with him?"
"I have not been in Mr. Fountain's employment for long, Sergeant. I have endeavoured to be on good terms with the rest of the staff."
The sergeant surveyed him closely. "Where were you before you came down here?"
A shade of discomfort crossed the butler's features. He replied, not quite so readily: "I was temporarily out of service, Sergeant."
"Whys'
"I was suffering from ill health."
"Address?"
"My — my home address is in Tooting," said the man reluctantly. "In Blackadder Road."