“My idea was to come over here and see what was going on. I left the car in the road and climbed through the hedge and came up to the terrace. I was just looking about me when⁠—plop⁠—something fell right at my feet. I picked it up and then looked to see where it could have come from. And then I saw the man climbing down the ivy and I ran.”

“Just so,” said Battle. “Now, Miss Wade, can you describe that man at all?”

The girl shook her head.

“It was too dark to see much. I think he was a big man⁠—but that’s about all.”

“And now you, Mr. Thesiger.” Battle turned to him. “You struggled with the man⁠—can you tell me anything about him?”