“No—of course not, sir. . . . Why should I, sir?”
“Why, indeed?” Vance sighed wearily. “But you saw the bow?”
The man squinted, as if for purposes of mental visualization.
“I couldn’t say, sir. Perhaps, yes; perhaps, no. I don’t recall.”
Vance seemed to lose all interest in him; and Markham resumed the interrogation.
“I understand, Pyne, that Mr. Drukker called here this morning about half past nine. Did you see him?”
“Yes, sir. He always uses the basement door; and he said good-morning to me as he passed the butler’s pantry at the head of the steps.”
“He returned the same way he came?”
“I suppose so, sir—though I was up-stairs when he went. He lives in the house at the rear——”
“I know.” Markham leaned forward. “I presume it was you who admitted Mr. Robin and Mr. Sperling this morning.”