“You are sure you are making no mistake?”
“Nothing of the kind, sir. I must have been very much mistaken, but I did not think so at the time, and it bothered me more than enough. If my evidence promised to be of any service to Mr. David, no consideration would have kept me back. As it was—”
“You thought it would damage him?”
“I’m afraid that was my idea.”
“I agree with you. It is far better that it never came to the knowledge of the police. I am greatly obliged to you.”
“May I ask, sir, if what I have told you will be useful in your inquiry?”
“Most decidedly. Some day soon Mr. David Hume-Frazer will thank you in person. I suppose you have no objection to placing your observations in written form for my private use, and sending the statement to me at the County Hotel?”
“Not the least, sir; good-day.”
The barrister walked to the hotel, having despatched his bag by a porter.
“I suppose,” he said to himself, “that when Winter came here he rushed straight to the police-station. How his round eyes will bulge out of their sockets when I tell him what I have just learnt.”