“Well, proceed. What is it?”
“You were here with Townsend and Maynard last night when the latter was murdered?” asked the detective.
“You are wrong,” was the reply. “You don’t know what you are talking about.”
“You were not here that night?” asked Nick.
“Yes, I was here, but not with Mr. Townsend. He had left the place before I arrived, and I found Maynard waiting for him.”
“You did not see Townsend that night?” asked Nick, regarding the fellow keenly.
Mantelle hesitated. He looked like a man who was playing for time.
“I was told that you saw him out on the pavement in front of this place,” said Nick, at a venture.
“Well, what if I did? I do not at this time recall the incident, if I did see him; but what of it if I did?”
“I am also informed,” said Nick, still making a bluff, “that you saw him pass down the street without making your presence known. Is that true?”