"That's just what we would all like to know," answered Mr. Mace, dryly.
"There was a light in his office when I called for my umbrella about half-past ten," said John.
"But did you see Mr. Hazeldine, and speak to him at that time?" asked Mace.
"No, I never saw him at all yesterday evening. He did not get back from London till late, and I would not disturb him."
"Then it must have been you, sir, that I heard going out about that time," said Sweet.
"Most probably. I let myself in with my pass-key, found my umbrella in the dark, and was out of the Bank again in three minutes."
"And I came upstairs when I heard the door bang, thinking it was Mr. Hazeldine who had gone," said Sweet. "I was quite dumbfounded when I opened the office-door and saw him sitting there in his chair. 'I shall not be done for about half an hour yet,' says he. 'I will let myself out when I'm ready. You needn't trouble any more, Sweet.' So with that I went, leaving him sitting there. Little did I think----"
"Never mind what you thought; tell us what happened next," said Mr. Mace.
"What happened next was that I went downstairs and got my supper," responded Sweet, with a resentful glance at the chief constable. "After that I sat and had a pipe, waiting to hear Mr. Hazeldine go, that I might lock up for the night."
Sweet paused and rubbed his nose with his forefinger.