“Nothing, sir; that is, nothing much, sir. I–I was just wondering about last night, sir.”
“You spoke to me about that this morning,” said Blake. “You asked me if I had come downstairs about two o’clock, and I told you I had. I went into the kitchen to get something to eat.”
“Yes, sir. But did you come into this room, sir?”
“No. Why?”
“Do you remember, sir, that you dropped a glass last night? Over there in the corner, sir?”
“Yes. You started to pick up the broken pieces. I told you to let them go until morning. I haven’t been in the room until just now. I see that you have obeyed my instructions.”
“Yes, sir. But I forgot about it until half an hour ago. Then I remembered, sir. I came in here and I was quite surprised, Mister Blake.”
“Why?”
“There was a large piece of glass, sir” — Herbert made a motion with one finger and thumb to illustrate — “and I was sure about it, sir, because I saw it last night. It was nearly midnight, sir, you will remember — and you walked out while I was about to gather up the pieces of glass.”
“Well?” questioned Blake impatiently.