Trent’s Last Case

‘Very well; and he rang for you that night about a quarter past eleven. Now can you remember exactly what he said?’

‘I think I can tell you with some approach to accuracy, sir. It was not much. First he asked me if Mr Bunner had gone to bed, and I replied that he had been gone up some time. He then said that he wanted someone to sit up until 12.30, in case an important message should come by telephone, and that Mr Marlowe having gone to Southampton for him in the motor, he wished me to do this, and that I was to take down the message if it came, and not disturb him. He also ordered a fresh syphon of soda water. I believe that was all, sir.’

‘You noticed nothing unusual about him, I suppose?’

‘No, sir, nothing unusual. When I answered the ring, he was seated at the desk listening at the telephone, waiting for a number, as I supposed. He gave his orders and went on listening at the same time. ‘When I returned with the syphon he was engaged in conversation over the wire.’

‘Do you remember anything of what he was saying?’

‘Very little, sir; it was something about somebody being at some hotel—of no interest to me. I was only in the room just time enough to place the syphon on the table and withdraw. As I closed the door he was saying, “You’re sure he isn’t in the hotel?” or words to that effect.’

‘And that was the last you saw and heard of him alive?’

‘No, sir. A little later, at half-past eleven, when I had settled down in my pantry with the door ajar, and a book to pass the time, I heard Mr Manderson go upstairs to bed. I immediately went to close the library window, and slipped the lock of the front door. I did not hear anything more.’

Trent considered. ‘I suppose you didn’t doze at all,’ he said tentatively, ‘while you were sitting up waiting for the telephone message?’

‘Oh no, sir. I am always very wakeful about that time. I’m a bad sleeper, especially in the neighbourhood of the sea, and I generally read in bed until somewhere about midnight.’

‘And did any message come?’

‘No, sir.’

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