“Now we’ll turn our backs again, Inspector, and let Mr. Chacewater close the panel.”
Again the sharp click notified them that they could turn round. The panelling seemed completely solid.
“There are just a couple of points I’d like to know about,” Sir Clinton said, turning to Cecil. “You don’t know the combination that opens the safe over there, I believe?”
Cecil Chacewater seemed both surprised and relieved to hear this question.
“No,” he said. “Maurice kept the combination to himself.”
Sir Clinton nodded as though he had expected this answer.
“Just another point,” he continued. “You may not be able to remember this. At any time after you and Foxton Polegate had planned that practical joke of yours, did Foss ask you the time?”
Cecil was obviously completely taken aback by this query.
“Did he ask me the time? Not that I know of. I can’t remember his ever doing that. Wait a bit, though. No, he didn’t.”
Sir Clinton seemed disappointed for a moment. Then, evidently, a fresh idea occurred to him.