"I'd like to ask you one or two questions," said Ashton-Kirk, smoothly.
"Questions!" Fenton's eyes narrowed. "What kind of questions?"
"About Tom Burton," replied Ashton-Kirk. "I'd like to know what happened after he left this place with you on his track."
Fenton gave a quick, hunted look around; for an instant his eyes rested upon the street door, but Scanlon's big body was between him and it in a twinkling.
"It'll be easier to answer the questions," said Bat, unconcernedly. "We'd get you in a minute or two."
The man's glance went to Hutchinson accusingly, and the manager of the pool room at once began to protest.
"Honest, Joe, I didn't say a word. They came in here and wanted to see you, and I thought it best to get it over with."
"You followed Tom Burton to Stanwick," said Ashton-Kirk. "A person who saw you there has made a direct accusation against you."
The face of the broken-nosed man went white.
"What did they say?" he demanded. "They're liars. What did they say? I didn't do a thing!"