“Not at all.” A few moments later I was saying, “Hello, Superintendent; this is Bannerlee. Anything I can do for you?”
“Thanks very much, Mr. Bannerlee. Would you mind givin’ a message to the doctor—Doctor Aire, I mean?”
“Delighted.”
“I’ve been lookin’ up his whereabouts the two days before he came down to Radnorshire.”
“His!”
“Yes. Nothing like thoroughness, is there? He might like to know he’s not the Parson. Tell him he’s absolved, clean character, goes scot-free.”
“He’ll be grateful, I’m sure.”
“Certain to be. Another thing, too, sir. I took the liberty—unpardonable—of checkin’ you also.”
“Me!”
The sound must have deafened Salt, for it was a little while before he resumed, with smothered amusement. “Couldn’t help it, sir. All in the way of routine. You’re acquitted, too, and can go your ways.”