His manner of greeting me was more genial than usual.

He began by informing me that the police had apprehended the man who, they believed, was guilty of the captain's murder.
"There is one detail to be cleared up," he said.

"You told me the other night that it was shortly after seven o'clock when you heard the sounds of struggle in the room above you.

You were somewhat excited at the time, and under similar circumstances men have been known to make mistakes.

Have you considered the matter since?
Is it not possible that you were in error in regard to the hour ?" I recalled Hughes' advice to humor the inspector; and I said that, having thought it over, I was not quite sure.