CHAPTER XII
WHEREIN WINTER GETS TO WORK
Winter had identified Bates at the first glance. The letters in the man's
hand, too, showed his errand, so, while the gardener was climbing the
hill, the detective slipped into Robinson's cottage.
He found the policeman awaiting him in the dark, because a voice said:
"Beg pardon, sir, but the other gentleman from the 'Yard' asked me to
take him into the kitchen. A light in the front room might attract
attention, he thought."
"Just what Mr. Furneaux would suggest, and I agree with him," said
Winter, quite alive to the canny discretion behind those words, "the
other gentleman."
Robinson led the way. Supper was laid on the table. Poor Mrs. Robinson
had again beaten a hasty retreat.
"Now, Robinson," said the Chief Inspector affably, "before we come to
business I'll prove my bona fides. Here is my official card, and I'll run
quickly through events until 1.30 p.m. to-day. I met Mr. Furneaux at
Victoria, and he posted me fully up to that hour."
So the policeman listened to a clear summary of the Steynholme case as
it was known to the authorities.
"I did not warn either Mr. Fowler or you of my visit because a telegram
could hardly be explicit enough," concluded Winter.
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