“Yes, I should think so.”
“Thank you, that is all. For the present. I say, all for the present.”
“Dern him, he’s laying for Archy,” said Ferguson.
“It’s so,” said Ham Sandwich. “I don’t like the look of it.”
Stillman said, glancing at the guest, “I was along there myself at half past eight—no, about nine.”
“Indeed? This is interesting—this is very interesting. Perhaps you encountered the assassin?”
“No, I encountered no one.”
“Ah. Then—if you will excuse the remark—I do not quite see the relevancy of the information.”
“It has none. At present. I say it has none—at present.”
He paused. Presently he resumed: “I did not encounter the assassin, but I am on his track, I am sure, for I believe he is in this room. I will ask you all to pass one by one in front of me—here, where there is a good light—so that I can see your feet.”