‘He went now and again; I can’t remember him going two days running.’ The valet hesitated, then went on: ‘There was another thing struck me about that, but I don’t know if there’s anything in it. When he did go, it was nearly always in the car. I only remember him going by train when the car was out of order, and then he groused about it. But these two days he went by train though the car was there and the chauffeur doing nothing.’ ‘It is curious, that,’ Tanner agreed. ‘Now, Mr Austin’s coming on Sunday. You saw him, I suppose?’ ‘Yes, both when he was coming and leaving.’ ‘Ah, that is fortunate. You could tell, then, if he seemed just in his ordinary humour, or if anything had upset him?’ ‘I only saw him for just a moment. It would be hard to form an opinion in the time.’ Inspector Tanner was keenly interested. He thought he recognised a sudden reserve in the man’s tone and manner, and he remembered that he had had the same impression about Parkes, when the butler was asked a similar question. He suspected both men were withholding information. Something apparently had occurred on that Sunday night. He decided to bluff. ‘It would be a kindness, Mr Innes, if you would tell me just what happened on that night.’ The valet started, and an uneasy expression passed over his face. Neither were lost on the Inspector. ‘I don’t know of anything special,’ Innes answered. ‘Just what are you getting at?’ The Inspector bluffed again. ‘Mr Austin was upset too? Come now, Mr Innes, you’ll agree to that, surely?’ ‘Well, he may have been a bit.’ ‘Was that when he was going or on arrival and departure both?’ ‘He seemed a bit absent-minded when he was going, but, Lord! Mr Tanner, what’s that? He may have been feeling a bit seedy, or had a headache, or half a dozen things.’ The man seemed nervous and ill at ease. More strongly than ever Inspector Tanner felt there was more to come. He racked his brains to guess what might have happened, and to frame leading questions. Suddenly an idea occurred to him. He bent forward and tapped the valet on the knee. ‘Now, Mr Innes, about the trouble they had that night. You might tell me what you know.’ The valet gave his questioner a sour look. ‘I suppose Parkes told you about that,’ he grumbled, ‘but I think he might have kept his mouth shut. It’s no business of yours, or mine either.’ ‘Tell me anyway.’ ‘I heard them in the study. Their voices were raised, and that’s all there’s of it.’ ‘And what did they say?’ ‘I only heard a word or two. I didn’t wait to listen.’ ‘Of course not, Mr Innes. But people can’t help overhearing things. What was it you heard?’ The valet seemed to be considering his answer. At last he replied: ‘I heard Mr Austin say, “My God, sir, she’s not.” That’s every blessed word, so now you know it all.’ His manner had altered, and Tanner felt this was the truth.