'That was curious,' remarked Trent.

'I thought so, sir. But I recollected what I had heard about "not a
word to a soul", and I concluded that this about a moonlight drive was
intended to mislead.'

'What time was this?'

'It would be about ten, sir, I should say. After speaking to me, Mr.
Manderson waited until Mr. Marlowe had come down and brought round the
car. He then went into the drawing-room, where Mrs. Manderson was.'

'Did that strike you as curious?'

Martin looked down his nose. 'If you ask me the question, sir,' he said
with reserve, 'I had not known him enter that room since we came here
this year. He preferred to sit in the library in the evenings. That
evening he only remained with Mrs. Manderson for a few minutes. Then he
and Mr. Marlowe started immediately.'

'You saw them start?'

'Yes, sir. They took the direction of Bishopsbridge.'

'And you saw Mr. Manderson again later?'

'After an hour or thereabouts, sir, in the library. That would have been
about a quarter past eleven, I should say; I had noticed eleven striking
from the church. I may say I am peculiarly quick of hearing, sir.'

'Mr. Manderson had rung the bell for you, I suppose. Yes? And what
passed when you answered it?'

'Mr. Manderson had put out the decanter of whisky and a syphon and
glass, sir, from the cupboard where he kept them--'

Trent held up his hand. 'While we are on that point, Martin, I want to
ask you plainly, did Mr. Manderson drink very much? You understand this
is not impertinent curiosity on my part. I want you to tell me, because
it may possibly help in the clearing up of this case.'

'Perfectly, sir,' replied Martin gravely. 'I have no hesitation in
telling you what I have already told the inspector. Mr. Manderson was,
considering his position in life, a remarkably abstemious man. In my
four years of service with him I never knew anything of an alcoholic
nature pass his lips, except a glass or two of wine at dinner, very
rarely a little at luncheon, and from time to time a whisky and soda
before going to bed. He never seemed to form a habit of it. Often I used
to find his glass in the morning with only a little soda water in it;
sometimes he would have been having whisky with it, but never much.
He never was particular about his drinks; ordinary soda was what
he preferred, though I had ventured to suggest some of the natural
minerals, having personally acquired a taste for them in my previous
service. H