Mr. Manderton nodded.
“Allies, then?”
“Allies it is!”
Robin pointed to the table.
“It’s dry work talking,” he said. “Won’t you take a drink?”
“Thanks, I don’t drink. But I’ll have a cigar if I may. Thank you!”
The detective helped himself to a cheroot from a box on the table and lit up. Then, affecting to scan the end of his cigar with great attention, he asked abruptly:
“What do you know of the woman calling herself Madame de Malpas?”
Robin pursed up his lips rather disdainfully.
“One of the late Mr. Parrish’s lady friends,” he replied. “I expect you know that!”