Mallalieu, too, recognized him, and stopped.
"Oh, that you, Mr.Mayor!" exclaimed Bent.

"I was just wondering whether to drop in on you as I passed.

Have you heard what's happened tonight ?" "Heard naught," replied Mallalieu.

"I've just been having a hand at whist with Councillor Northrop and his wife and daughter.

What has happened, then ?" They were all three walking towards the town by that time, and Bent slipped between Brereton and Mallalieu and took the Mayor's arm.
"Murder's happened," he said.