"No. I went along Collins Street, up William Street, round about the Law Courts, and then came down Bourke Street, on my way home." "How long were you thus wandering about?" "I think about an hour and a half, because as I turned into Russell Street the clock struck two." "Why did you turn into Russell Street?" "Why!" echoed Keith, in surprise, "because I wanted to go home. I went through Russell Street, down Flinders Street, and then walked to East Melbourne, past the Fitzroy Gardens." "Oh! and you saw Villiers standing about the shop?" "Yes; he was leaning against the door." "Drunk?" "Very!" "What did you do?" "I ordered him off." "Did he go?" "Yes; rolled down the street towards Bourke Street, singing some song." "You noticed nothing peculiar about him?" "No." "Was the door of the alley leading to the back open or shut?" "I don't know--I never noticed." "After Villiers disappeared, you went home?" "I did--straight home." Naball pondered for a few moments. Stewart certainly told all he knew with perfect frankness, but then was he telling the truth? "Do you want to ask me any more questions?" asked Keith, rising. Naball made up his mind, and spoke out roughly,-- "I want to know how you, with a small salary, can afford to belong to an expensive club like the 'Skylarks?'" Keith's face grew as black as thunder. "Who the devil gave you permission to pry into my private affairs?" "No one except myself," retorted Naball boldly, for, though inferior to Stewart in size, he by no means wanted pluck; "but I'm engaged in a serious case, and it will be best for you to speak out frankly. "You surely don't suspect Stewart of the murder?" interposed Ezra warmly. "I suspect nobody," retorted Naball. "I'm only asking him a question, and, if he's wise, he'll answer it." Keith thought for a moment. He saw that, for some extraordinary reason or another, Naball suspected him, so, in order to be on the safe side, resolved to take the detective's advice and answer the question. "It is, as you say, a serious matter," he observed quietly, "and I am the last person in the world not to give any assistance to the finding out of the criminal; ask what you please, and I will answer." This reply somewhat staggered Naball, but, as he had strong suspicions about Stewart's innocence, he put down the apparent frankness of the answer to crafty diplomacy. "I only want to know," he said mildly, "how a gentleman in your position can afford to belong to an expensive club." "Because I can afford to do so," replied Keith calmly. "When I first came to Melbourne, I had no money, and was engaged by Mr. Lazarus as his clerk, with the understanding I should stay with him six months. To this I agreed, but shortly afterwards a sum of five hundred pounds was placed to my credit, and afforded me a chance of living in good style. I wished to leave the pawnshop, but Mr. Lazarus reminded me of my position, and I had to stay. That is all."