"Spread where?"
"Post Office Savings Bank here, them War Loan Certificates, and a bank at Carchester. Looks funny to me. The inspector doesn't make much of it. Of course, people do get ideas into their heads about spreading their money about, but what I'd like to know is how did he come by so much? Always paying in money he seems to have been."
"How much at a time?"
"Well, not a great deal, sir, but steady. I could let you have the figures."
"Yes. Or rather, no. You'd better not."
"Colonel Watson wouldn't object, sir, if that's what you're thinking. Not as it's you, if you understand me."
Mr. Amberley's saturnine smile appeared. "The question is, Sergeant, am I on your side?"
"Beg pardon, sir?"
"I'm not sure that I am," said Mr. Amberley. "I'll let you know when I've thought it over. Meanwhile, I want some lunch. Good hunting!"
The sergeant was left to stare after him in great perplexity. The chief constable, Colonel Watson, who presently came hurrying out of the courtroom, found him scratching his head meditatively. "Has Mr. Amberley gone, Sergeant?"