‘If it isn’t rude to ask, in what direction is duty calling you now?’ inquired Mr Campion.
The Inspector seemed surprised at the question. ‘That fellow William and his hand, of course,’ he said. ‘All new developments must be carefully watched. I think that’s about the first rule in the book. We must find out how he hurt himself. There is just a chance that he was attacked, you know, and if so he must be made to talk.’
‘Here, I say, no bullying Uncle William,’ said Campion in mild alarm.
‘Bullying?’ The Inspector’s expression was bitter. ‘It’s as much as we’re allowed to do to speak to witnesses these days. But if he tells me a c**k-and-bull story he can go into the witness-box and tell it to the coroner—and the press.’
‘Ho!’ said Mr Campion.
‘Eh?’
‘I said “ho”,’ repented the young ma
