'Oh, a chap's assumed to be innocent until he's proved guilty,' said Stalky, mounting step by step. 'How did they get you into the sack, Mr. Wontner?'
'Jumped on me from behind--two to one,' said Mr. Wontner briefly. 'I think I handed each of them something first, but they roped my arms and legs.'
'And did they photograph you in the sack?'
'Good Heavens, no!' Mr. Wontner shuddered.
'That's lucky. Awful thing to live down--a photograph, isn't it?' said Stalky to me as we reached the landing. 'I'm thinking of the newspapers, of course.'
'Oh, but you can easily have sketches in the illustrated papers from accounts supplied by eye-witnesses,' I said.
Mr. Wontner turned him round. It was the first time he had honoured me by his notice since our talk in the garage.
'Ah,' said he, 'do you pretend to any special knowledge in these matters?'
'I'm a journalist by profession,' I answered simply but nobly. 'As soon as you're at liberty, I'd like to have your account of the affair.'
Now I thought he would have loved me for this, but he only replied in an uncomfortable, uncoming-on voice, 'Oh, you would, would you?'