"My favorite wine, sir."
"I thought so. Taken in moderation, port induces sound reasoning. I have some Alto Douro of '61. I'll bring you a bottle."
Tomlinson was mystified, a trifle scandalized perhaps; but he bowed his acknowledgments.
"Sir, I will appreciate it greatly."
"I know you will. My Alto Douro goes down no gullet but a connoisseur's."
Even in his agitation, Tomlinson smiled.
What a queer little man this undersized detective was, to be sure, and how oddly he expressed himself!
"I ask this just as a matter of form, but did Mr. Robert Fenley take his .450 Express rifle when he went away on Saturday?" said Winter.
"No, sir. He had only a valise strapped to the carrier. But I do happen to know that the gun was in his room on Friday, because Friday is my day for house inspection."
"Any cartridges?"