11/19 Do you know ?" "Not in the least," replied Mallalieu, telling the lie all the more readily because he had been fully prepared for the question to which it was an answer. "I knew naught about him." "He was an ex-detective," said the bank-manager. "Pensioned off, of course: a nice pension. He told me he'd had--I believe it was getting on to forty years' service in the police force. Dear, dear, this is a sad business--and I'm afraid I can tell you a bit more about it." "What ?" demanded Mallalieu, showing surprise in spite of himself. |