We walked along to the garage and Inspector Gatton placed the key in the lock; then turning to Bolton:
"Now," he directed, "show us exactly what you did."
Bolton replaced his bowler, which hitherto he had carried in his hand, hesitated for a moment, and then unlocked the door.
"Of course I had my lantern with me last night," he explained, "and this gentleman and myself stood looking in for a moment."
"Mr. Addison has already described to me exactly what he saw," said Gatton. "Show us what you did after Mr. Addison left you."
Bolton, with a far-away look in his eyes betokening an effort of retrospection, withdrew the key from the lock and entered the garage, Gatton and I following. There was a sky window to light the place, so that when Bolton reclosed the door we could see well enough. His movements were as follows: Relocking the door from the inside, he walked slowly along to a smaller door at the opposite end and with the other key attached to the ring unfastened it.
"Wait a moment," said Gatton. "Did you look about you at all before opening this door?"
"Only long enough to find where it was, sir. Just about as long as I showed you."
"All right. Go on, then."
We followed Bolton out into a very narrow hedge-bordered path, evidently a tradesman's entrance, and he turned and locked the door behind him. Slipping the keys into his pocket, he tramped stolidly out to the main road whereon we emerged immediately beside the garage.