“Not specially on that night. He seemed absolutely as usual.” “How do you mean, not specially on that night?” “He had been, I thought, a little depressed for two or three weeks previously, as if he had some trouble on his mind. I asked when first I noticed it if there was anything wrong, but he murmured something about home troubles, about his wife not being so well—she is a chronic invalid. He was not communicative, and I did not press the matter. But he was no worse this afternoon than during the last fortnight.” “I see. Now, what brought him back to the office to-night?” Mr. Duke made a gesture of bewilderment. “I have no idea,” he declared. “There was nothing! Nothing, at least, that I know of or can imagine. We were not specially busy, and as far as I can think, he was well up to date with his work.” “Is there a postal delivery between half-past four and the time your office closes?” “There is, and of course there might have been a telegram or a caller or a note delivered by hand. But suppose there had been something important enough to require immediate attention, Gething would never have taken action without consulting me. He had only to ring me up.” “He knew where you were, then?” “No, but he could have rung up my home. They knew there where I was, as when I had decided to dine at the club, I ’phoned home to say so.” “But were you in your club all the evening? Excuse my pressing the matter, but I think it’s important to make sure the man did not try to communicate with you.” “I see your point. Yes, I stayed chatting with Mr. Peters until almost 9.30. Then, feeling tired from a long day’s thought about business, I decided a little exercise would be pleasant, and I walked home. I reached my house a minute or two after ten.” “That seems conclusive. All the same, sir, I think you should make sure when you reach home that no call was made.” “I shall do so certainly, but my parlourmaid is very reliable in such matters, and I am certain she would have told me of any.” Inspector French sat for a few seconds lost in thought, and then began on another point. “You tell me that you had £33,000 worth of diamonds in the safe. Is not that an unusually large amount to keep in an office?” “You are quite right; it is too large. I consider myself very much to blame, both for that and in the matter of the insurance. But I had not meant to keep the stones there long. Indeed, negotiations for the sale of the larger portion were actually in progress. On the other hand, it is due to myself to point out that the safe is of a very efficient modern pattern.” “That is so, sir. Now can you tell me who, besides yourself, knew of the existence of those stones?”