He drew just such a general sketch of Forbes as a skilled observer of men might be expected to formulate after one direct glance close at hand, supplemented by a view into a lamp-lit street from a second-storey window on a rainy night.
"So far, so good," said Winter.

"You have contrived to fill in several details lacking in the description supplied by a policeman who chanced to be standing at the corner when Mrs.Lester's visitor posted a letter.
Did you notice that ?" "Yes.

Indeed, I believed that, whether intentionally or not, he held an open umbrella at an angle which prevented the constable from seeing his face." "In fact, it's marvellous what you really do know when your memory is jogged," snapped Furneaux.
Theydon did not resent the sarcasm.

He smiled candidly into the little detective's eyes.
"I suppose I deserve that," he said meekly.
"Why did you hide your knowledge of Mrs.Lester's visitor from your man Bates ?" "I was rather ashamed of the subterfuge adopted in order to get him out of the room while I opened the window the first time." "That was understandable last night, but I fail to follow your reasoning for a policy of silence when we told you at Waterloo that Mrs.Lester had been killed." "I was utterly taken aback by your news.

I wanted time to think.