"I give you my word. I was unable to hear his directions to the driver."
"Very good. There are other things I might ask you—but I know you'd refuse to answer, and then I'd have no alternative. So I won't. Good-day."
"Good-day, Inspector. And thank you." Sheffield nodded shortly and walked up to the driver of the next waiting cab.
"What number was the man who drove away last?"
"LH-00896, sir."
"Know where he went?"
"No, sir; but not far. He told a pal o' mine—the chauffeur of Mr. Rohscheimer's car, there, sir—that he'd be back in seven minutes."
"Good!" said Sheffield.
Matters were befalling as well as he could have hoped; for he had come out too late to have followed the cab. He glanced at his watch. Provided the man picked up no fare on his way back, he was due in three minutes. The detective strolled off towards Belgrave Road. Inside the three minutes a cab turned into the other end of the square.
Inspector Sheffield retraced his steps hurriedly.