Steppe had seen the notice but had not read it. If it had not been affixed! One turn of the handle and every paper would have been reduced to a black pulp. He tried to remember what was stored in the cursed thing. There were drafts, memoranda, letters from illicit agents, a record of certain transactions which would not look well--the Mackenzie report! Later he remembered the photograph in the sealed envelope. Why had Sault gone to the safe? The report he had had from the police--they had been with him for the best part of the morning--was to the effect that Sault had been arrested at the moment he was swinging the dials. What was Sault after? He could not read: only documents were in the safe. A footman appeared. "Who?--Morelle--show him in." Ronnie was looking wan and tired. He had not recovered from his fright. "Well? I got your 'phone call. Don't 'phone me, d'ye hear--never! You get people listening in at any time; just now the exchanges will be stiff with detectives. What were you trying to tell me when I shut you up?" "About Sault--he came to me last night." "Huh! Fine thing to talk about on the 'phone! Did you tell the police?" "No, and I've ordered François to say nothing. After Sault went, I sent François to--to Moropulos' house. I knew Sault was going there." "How did you know? And why did he come to you anyway?" The answer Ronnie had decided upon after much cogitation. "Oh--a rambling statement about Moropulos. I couldn't make head or tail of it. He said he was going to the house; I was afraid of trouble, so I sent François." "You knew Moropulos was in Hampshire--I told you they were both there." "I'd forgotten that. I don't want to come into this, Steppe--" "What you 'want', matters as much to me as what your François wants. If Sault says he came to your flat--but he won't. He'll say nothing--nothing." He looked keenly at the other. "That was all he said, huh? Just a rambling statement? Not like Sault that, he never rambles. Did he tell you that he killed Moropulos?" Ronnie hesitated. "He did! Try to speak the truth, will you? So he told you he had killed the Greco?" "I didn't take him seriously. I thought he must be joking--" "Fine joke, huh? Did Sault ever pull that kind of joke? You're not telling me the truth, Morelle--you'd better. I'm speaking as a friend. What did he come to talk to you about, huh? He never even knew you--had no dealings with you. Why should he come to you after he'd committed a murder?" "I've told you what happened," said Ronnie desperately. Again the quick scrutiny. "Well--we shall see." Ronald waited for a dismissal. "That sounds like the doctor's voice," he said suddenly. Steppe strode to the door and opened it. "Why, Beryl, what brings you out? Good morning, doctor--yes, very bad news." Beryl came past him and went straight to Ronald. "Did you see him, Ronnie--did he come to you?" "To me--of course not. I hardly knew him."