He has been up the country, and only returned to Brisbane yesterday." "Is this the first occasion on which he has stayed here ?" "No," the manager replied.

"He was here nearly a month ago for a couple of nights, and he had had his room reserved for him while he was away." "Perhaps you can tell me if he slept here on the night of July the nineteenth ?" "If you will excuse me for a moment I can soon let you know," said the manager, and then crossed the room to go into an outer office.

A few moments later he returned and nodded his head.

"Yes, he slept here that night, and went to Toowoomba next day." "One more question, and then I have done.

Did you happen to notice that night, or before he left next day, whether he had hurt his left hand ?" "It's strange that you should speak of that," said the manager.