"We told you and the police-inspector pretty nearly all we know, last night," replied Miss Wickham. "As a rule, he used to go out of a morning--I think, from his conversation, he used to go down to the City. I don't think it was on business: I think, he liked to look about him. Sometimes he came home to lunch; sometimes he didn't. Very often in the afternoon he took us for motor-rides into the country--sometimes he took us to the theatres. He used to go out a good deal, alone at night--we don't know where." "Did he ever mention any club?" asked Mr. Pawle. "No, never!" replied Miss Wickham. "He was reticent about himself--always very kind and thoughtful and considerate for Mrs. Killenhall and myself, but he was a reserved man." "Did he ever have any one to see him?" inquired the solicitor. "Any men to dine, or anything of that sort?" "No--not once. No one has ever even called on him," said Miss Wickham. "We have had two or three dinner-parties, but the people who came were friends of mine--two or three girls whom I knew at school, who are now married and live in London." "A lonely sort of man!" commented Mr. Pawle. "Yet--he must have known people. Where did he go when he went into the City? Where did he go at night? There must be somebody somewhere who can tell more about him. I think it will be well if I ask for information through the newspapers." "There is one matter we haven't mentioned," said Mrs. Killenhall. "Just after we got settled down here, Mr. Ashton went away for some days--three or four days. That, of course, may be quite insignificant." "Do you know where he went?" asked Mr. Pawle. "No, we don't know," answered Mrs. Killenhall. "He went away one Monday morning, saying that now everything was in order we could spare him for a few days. He returned on the following Thursday or Friday,--I forget which,--but he didn't tell us where he had been." "You don't think any of the servants would know?" asked Mr. Pawle. "Oh, dear me, no!" replied Mrs. Killenhall. "He was the sort of man who rarely speaks to his servants--except when he wanted something." Mr. Pawle looked at his watch and rose. "Well!" he said. "We shall have to find out more about my late client's habits and whom he knew in London. There may have been a motive for this murder of which we know nothing. Are you coming, Mr. Viner? I should like a word with you!" Viner, too, had risen; he looked at Miss Wickham. "I hope my aunt called on you this morning?" he asked. "I was coming with her, but I had to go round to the police-station." "She did call, and she was very kind indeed, thank you," said Miss Wickham. "I hope she'll come again." "We shall both be glad to do anything," said Viner. "Please don't hesitate about sending round for me if there's anything at all I can do." He followed Mr. Pawle into the square, and turned him towards his own house. "Come and lunch with me," he said. "We can talk over this at our leisure."