«Beds are turned down by the housekeeper, earlier than ten o'clock.»

«Yes… But Cummings heard Freke about the house all night.»

«He heard him go in and out two or three times. He'd expect him to do that, anyway.»

«Do you mean to say Freke got all that job finished before three in the morning?»

«Why not?»

«Quick work.»

«Well, call it quick work. Besides, why three? Cummings never saw him again till he called him for eight o'clock breakfast.»

«But he was having a bath at three.»

«I don't say he didn't get back from Park Lane before three. But I don't suppose Cummings went and looked through the bathroom keyhole to see if he was in the bath.»

Parker considered again.