KEITH. You say you didn't mean to kill him. LARRY. God knows. KEITH. That's something. LARRY. He hit me. [He holds up his hands] I didn't know I was so strong. KEITH. She was hanging on to him, you say?--That's ugly. LARRY. She was scared for me. KEITH. D'you mean she--loves you? LARRY. [Simply] Yes, Keith. KEITH. [Brutally] Can a woman like that love? LARRY. [Flashing out] By God, you are a stony devil! Why not? KEITH. [Dryly] I'm trying to get at truth. If you want me to help, I must know everything. What makes you think she's fond of you? LARRY. [With a crazy laugh] Oh, you lawyer! Were you never in a woman's arms? KEITH. I'm talking of love. LARRY. [Fiercely] So am I. I tell you she's devoted. Did you ever pick up a lost dog? Well, she has the lost dog's love for me. And I for her; we picked each other up. I've never felt for another woman what I feel for her--she's been the saving of me! KEITH. [With a shrug] What made you choose that archway? LARRY. It was the first dark place. KEITH. Did his face look as if he'd been strangled? LARRY. Don't! KEITH. Did it? [LARRY bows his head.] Very disfigured? LARRY. Yes. KEITH. Did you look to see if his clothes were marked? LARRY. No. KEITH. Why not? LARRY. [In an outburst] I'm not made of iron, like you. Why not? If you had done it----! KEITH. [Holding up his hand] You say he was disfigured. Would he be recognisable? LARRY. [Wearily] I don't know. KEITH. When she lived with him last--where was that? LARRY. In Pimlico, I think. KEITH. Not Soho? [LARRY shakes his head.] How long has she been at this Soho place? LARRY. Nearly a year. KEITH. Living this life? LARRY. Till she met me. KEITH. Till, she met you? And you believe----? LARRY. [Starting up] Keith! KEITH. [Again raising his hand] Always in the same rooms? LARRY. [Subsiding] Yes. KEITH. What was he? A professional bully? [LARRY nods.] Spending most of his time abroad, I suppose. LARRY. I think so. KEITH. Can you say if he was known to the police? LARRY. I've never heard. KEITH turns away and walks up and down; then, stopping at LARRY's chair, he speaks. KEITH. Now listen, Larry. When you leave here, go straight home, and stay there till I give you leave to go out again. Promise. LARRY. I promise. KEITH. Is your promise worth anything? LARRY. [With one of his flashes] "Unstable as water, he shall not excel!" KEITH. Exactly. But if I'm to help you, you must do as I say. I must have time to think this out. Have you got money? LARRY. Very little. KEITH. [Grimly] Half-quarter day--yes, your quarter's always spent by then. If you're to get away--never mind, I can manage the money. LARRY. [Humbly] You're very good, Keith; you've always been very good to me--I don't know why.