Siddle went at half past nine, but he generally does." "You met no one on the road ?" "No." The monosyllable seemed to lack Elkin's usual confidence.

It sounded as if he had been making up his mind what to say, yet faltered at the last moment.
Robinson ruminated darkly.

As a matter of fact, long after eleven o'clock on that fateful night, he himself had seen Elkin walking homeward.

He was well aware that the licensing hours were not strictly observed by the Hare and Hounds when "commercial gentlemen" were in residence.

Closing time was ten o'clock, but the "commercials," being cheery souls, became nominal hosts on such occasions, and their guests were in no hurry to depart.