“Couldn’t say, sir, I’m sure. All I knows is it went one day, and the other day we asked for it back from Mr. Egerton when the man came about the bottles, and he said⁠— Mr. Egerton said, that is⁠—as he was sorry he’d lost it picking up wood, or so Mabel said, and it was Mabel as went round for it.”

Stephen was feeling cooler and cooler. It was all amazingly easy.

He said, “That’s right, Cook; I remember now. I gave it to Mr. Egerton myself one evening; he was going out to get wood.” Then, with a tone of cheerful finality as one who puts an end to a tedious conversation with an inferior, “Well, I’m sure we’re much obliged to you, Inspector, for bringing it back. Where⁠—”