"Confound him! I shan't stay here if I'm roused up at this unearthly hour. It's abominable! You are disturbing my wife's rest. What are the people tearing about the place for?" asked Carl as he heard footsteps.
"Didn't you hear the explosion? They are at it again."
"Hush!" said Carl. "You'll wake my wife; it will frighten her. You've all gone mad. I heard nothing."
"I'm sorry, sir, but Mr. Hurd was so certain he saw you come in I thought I'd see for myself."
"And what the devil does it matter to him whether I was out or in?" asked Carl sharply.
"That's not my business, sir. Please excuse me. I'll tell him you are in your room," said the man, shuffling away. "Queer smell of burning," he muttered as he went along the landing; "seemed to be in his room."
The manager was in the hall. With him were an inspector of police and a detective.
"Well?" asked Hurd.
"He's in his room, undressed and in bed. I knew he didn't come in."
"You're mistaken," said the Inspector. "He did. I saw him."