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.