“Except you and Hesset,” the blind man said mildly.
The bandaged man, holding to the back of the chair, seemed to grow even more bewildered. Mr. Pelle’s face was thrust across the desk.
“Doctor,” he rasped, “are you insinuating——”
Lady gave a low, deep-throated growl. One of the blind man’s hands touched the tawny head.
“Pelle,” he asked, “how did you come to pick a Saturday morning to settle with Hesset?”
“Any law against it?” Mr. Pelle demanded.
“No.” The doctor’s voice was bland. “This is a small bank. It has only two really busy hours in the week. There is a rush from eleven to noon on Saturday just before the week-end closing; another rush from eight to nine Monday morning with business men coming in with their Saturday cash. During the week there would be leisure for a cashier to scrutinize a man; perhaps to telephone and ask, among other things, for a description. But on Saturday, after eleven, there is pressure and haste. And in this hour of pressure a check went through.”
Mr. Pelle wet his lips nervously. Captain Tucker stood very still.
“Anything else, Doctor?” he asked.
“Why, yes.” The blind man took a pipe from his pocket and filled it slowly. “Why did Hesset bring his check here to be cashed? Why didn’t he take it back to Arlington and deposit it in his own bank?”