“Yes. I was not sure then if it was my duty to speak. I am quite sure now.” And I told him of what I had seen that night in the studio.
The colonel had a few words with the inspector and then we set off for Old Hall. Dr. Haydock came with us.
A very correct butler opened the door, with just the right amount of gloom in his bearing.
“Good morning,” said Melchett. “Will you ask Mrs. Protheroe’s maid to tell her we are here and would like to see her, and then return here and answer a few questions.”
The butler hurried away and presently returned with the news that he had despatched the message.
“Now let’s hear something about yesterday,” said Colonel Melchett. “Your master was in to lunch?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And in his usual spirits?”
“As far as I could see, yes, sir.”
“What happened after that?”
“After luncheon Mrs. Protheroe went to lie down and the colonel went to his study. Miss Lettice went out to a tennis party in the two-seater. Colonel and Mrs. Protheroe had tea at four-thirty, in the drawing-room. The car was ordered for five-thirty to take them to the village. Immediately after they had left Mr. Clement rang up”—he bowed to me—“I told him they had started.”
“H’m,” said Colonel Melchett. “When was Mr. Redding last here?”
“On Tuesday afternoon, sir.”