And he'd be at Hobwick Quarry by 4.30 at the latest--long before darkness." "Just about sunset, as a matter of fact," remarked the superintendent.
"The sun sets about 4.18." "So he couldn't have fallen over in the darkness," continued the ticket-collector.

"If all had gone well with him, he'd have been down in Highmarket here by dusk." "I'm obliged to you," said the superintendent.

"It's worth knowing, of course.

Came from Darlington, eh?
Was he alone ?" "Quite alone, sir." "You didn't see anybody else going that way across the moors, did you?
Didn't notice anybody following him ?" "No," replied the ticket-collector with decision.

"Me and one of my mates watched him a long way, and I'll swear there was no one near him till he was out of sight.