“The papers will not get hold of it if you don’t tell them,” Pepster said quietly.
“Oh, one never knows. How do these fellows get hold of things? It’s wonderful, but, you know, it’s their job. And your Chief is just a bit nervous, isn’t he?”
“I could get a warrant in an hour,” Pepster said.
“Well, why not? The house won’t disappear in an hour. It will still be here and so will old Silas. But if it’s Thoyne you want, a warrant’ll not help you. He isn’t here.”
“His furniture is,” I interposed.
“No,” Mr. Bannister replied, with an oily smile, “you are wrong there also. The furniture’s mine. I let it furnished.”
“Did you see Mr. Thoyne go?” I asked.
“Yes, I was here. He handed me the key.”
“Had he a man named Tulmin with him?”
“He had a servant, a little man, but I don’t know what his name was.”