“We naturally thought, Monsieur, that you would like to be informed of the progress of the case,” said the Magistrate severely.

“Even if the progress is nonexistent.”

“We also wished to ask you a few questions.”

“Ask away.”

“You are quite sure that you neither saw nor spoke with your wife on the train.”

“I’ve answered that already. I did not.”

“You had, no doubt, your reasons.”

Derek stared at him suspiciously.

“I⁠—did⁠—not⁠—know⁠—she⁠—was⁠—on⁠—the⁠—train,” he explained, spacing his words elaborately, as though to someone dull of intellect.