22 p.m. This time he had several leather
trunks, and a footman from the Hall was waiting for him on the platform.
Excuse me, sir, but it was a fair licker!"
"It must have been. I wonder you did not speak to him!"
"I wish I had done so. Mr. David is usually a very affable young
gentleman, but, what between my surprise and the bustle of getting the
train away, I lost the opportunity. However, the queerest part of my story
is coming. I'm blest if he didn't leave here again by the last train at
5.58 p.m. I missed his entrance to the station, but had a good look at him
as the train went out. He showed the ticket-examiner at Ipswich a return
half to London, because I asked by wire. Now what did it all mean?"
"If I could tell you, it would save me much trouble," said Brett gravely.
"But why did you not mention these incidents subsequently?"
"Perhaps I was wrong, sir. I did not know what to do for the best. Every
one at the Hall, including Mr. David himself, would have proved that I was
a liar with respect to his two earlier arrivals and his departure by the
5.58. I did not see what I would accomplish except to arouse a strong
suspicion that I had been drinking."
"Which would be unjustifiable?"
The stationmaster regained his dignity.
"I have been a teetotaler, sir, for more than twenty years."
"You are sure you are making no mistake?"
"Nothing of the kind, sir.
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