“You knew young Mr. Sprigg, didn’t you?”
“I’d seen him at the house here once or twice, sir.”
“Was he here recently?”
“Last week, sir. Thursday I think it was.”
“Who else was here at the time?”
Pyne frowned as if trying to remember.
“Mr. Drukker, sir,” he said after a moment. “And, as I recall, Mr. Pardee came too. They were together in Mr. Arnesson’s room talking until late.”
“In Mr. Arnesson’s room, eh? Is it custom’ry for Mr. Arnesson to receive callers in his room?”
“No, sir,” Pyne explained; “but the professor was working in the library, and Miss Dillard was with Mrs. Drukker in the drawing-room here.”
Vance was silent a while.