“You can’t say exactly what time? Could it have been before 6.45 that you saw him?”

“I couldn’t say that I’m sure, sir. I only know that he came along at intervals to ask if his guest hadn’t come.”

“And the waiter who told you about Mr. Lukescu coming—did he bring that as a message from Captain Wraile?”

“That’s right, sir; came straight from him!”

“At what time?”

Parlett scratched his head.

“Trying to think which one it was, sir; might have been Buntle or it might have been Gyne—most likely Gyne—he would have been on the smoking-room bell. Shall I send for him, sir?”

“Find out first if he remembers the incident,” said Captain Voilance. “If not, try Buntle.”

“I can’t try him, sir; he’s away today—burying a mother-in-law or something.”

Poole groaned.