“I saw it in the papers yesterday evening.”

“And you immediately came up here to see if it was true?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And you were taken to the Hampstead Police Station to make a statement as to your movements on the day and night of the murder?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And the story you have just told me about the Zoo and the pictures and the rest is virtually the same as the statement you made at the station?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you know if Sir Horace kept a revolver?”

“I think he did, sir.”

“Where did he keep it?”

“In the second drawer of his desk, sir.”

“Well, it’s gone,” remarked Inspector Chippenfield without opening the drawer.  “What sort of a revolver was it?  Did you ever see it?  How do you know he kept one?”

“Once or twice I saw something that looked like a revolver in that drawer while Sir Horace had it open.  It was a small nickel revolver.”

“Sir Horace always locked his desk?”

“Yes, sir.”

“None of your keys will open it, of course?”

“No, sir.  That is—­I don’t know, sir.  I’ve never tried.”

Inspector Chippenfield grunted slightly.  That trap the butler had not seen until too late.  But of course all servants went through their masters’ private papers when they got the chance.

“Do you know if Sir Horace was in the habit of carrying a pocket-book?” he asked.

“Yes, sir; he was.”

“What sort of a pocket-book?”

“A large Russian leather one with a gold clasp.”

“Did he take it away with him when he went to Scotland?  Did you see it about the house after he left?”

“No, sir.  I think he took it with him.  It would not be like him to forget it, or to leave it lying about.”

“And what sort of a man was Sir Horace, Field?”

“A very good master, sir.  He could be very stern when he was angry, but I got on very well with him.”

“Quite so.  Do you know if he had a weakness for the ladies?”

“Well, sir, I’ve heard people say he had.”

“I want your own opinion; I don’t want what other people said.  You were with him for three years and kept a pretty close watch on him, I’ve no doubt.”

“Speaking confidentially, I might say that I think he was,” said Hill.

He glanced apprehensively behind him as if afraid of the dead man appearing at the door to rebuke him for presuming to speak ill of him.

“I thought as much,” said the inspector.  “Have you any idea why he came down from Scotland?”

“No, sir.”

“Well, that will do for the present, Field.  If I want you again I’ll send for you.”

“Thank you, sir.  May I ask a question, sir?”

“What is it?”

“You don’t really think I had anything to do with it, sir?”

“I’m not here, Field, to tell you what I think.  This much I will say:  If I find you have tried to deceive me in any way it will be a bad day for you.”