“Have you bought strings for your instrument recently?”
“No. I haven't. Last time I used it, two of the strings snapped, and I never troubled to replace them.”
“Just so,” Flamborough said, as though attaching no great importance to the point. “Now there's another thing I'd like to ask about. I think that's your laboratory coat hanging on the peg over there?”
Silverdale glanced across the room and nodded.
“When did you wear that coat last?” Flamborough demanded.
“Last night,” Silverdale answered, after a slight hesitation.
“You mean you took it off when you left the Institute to go out to dinner?”
“Yes. This morning I've been up at the Research Station, so I've had no occasion to change my jacket.”
Flamborough crossed the room, took down the coat, and spread it out on the table once more.
“Can you explain this?” he questioned, putting his hand on the tear.