“Straight away, Mr. Humphries, sir,” broke in Bude. “Mr. Parrish crossed me in the hall and gave me particular instructions that he was not to be disturbed.”
“That was at what time?”
“About two-thirty, sir.”
“Then you were the last person to see him before ...”
“Why, no ... that is, unless ...”
The butler hesitated, casting a quick glance round his audience.
“What do you mean?” rapped out the Inspector, looking up from his notebook. “Did anybody else see Mr. Parrish in spite of his orders?”
Bude was silent. He was looking at Greve.
“Come on,” said Humphries sternly. “You heard my question? What makes you think anybody else had access to Mr. Parrish before the shot was heard?”
Bude made a little resigned gesture of the hands.