"Won't you be
seated, Inspector?"
"Thanks, but I can conduct my examination better standing."
He turned to Paul Harley.
"Might I ask, Mr. Harley," he said, "what concern this is of yours?"
"I am naturally interested in anything appertaining to the death of a
client, Inspector Aylesbury."
"Oh, so you slip in ahead of me, having deliberately withheld
information from the police, and think you are going to get all the
credit. Is that it?"
"That is it, Inspector," replied Harley, smiling. "An instance of
professional jealousy."
"Professional jealousy?" cried the Inspector. "Allow me to remind you
that you have no official standing in this case whatever. You are
merely a member of the public, nothing more, nothing less."
"I am happy to be recognized as a member of that much-misunderstood
body."
"Ah, well, we shall see. Now, Mr. Camber, your attention, please."
He raised his finger impressively.
"I am informed by Miss Beverley that the late Colonel Menendez looked
upon you as a dangerous enemy."
"Were those her exact words?" I murmured.
"Mr. Knox!"
The inspector turned rapidly, confronting me.
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