“The waiters—and our people from Mascarelli’s. We were in the dining room and pantry, of course.”
“Of course. And you have been talking the affair over among yourselves?”
“Sure—why not?”
“No reason in the world. I meant, do you know all about the doorman letting Mr. Locke out? And what do you mean by letting him out? Couldn’t he get out himself?”
“We had a regular man on the door to open it for the guests entering or leaving. So when Mr. Locke wanted to leave, of course Joe opened the door for him.”
“And did he say anything—anything special?”
“He only said, ‘I’ll be back in a few moments.’ That’s all.”
“You’re sure of all this? You heard Joe tell it? If you’re sure—I don’t need Joe’s story—but perhaps I’d better get it anyway.”
“No need, sir. We all talked it over and over. Joe told his yarn a dozen times, and every time he said that Mr. Locke just went out—not hurried like, but as if ordinary—and he said—‘Back in a few minutes.’ That’s all.”
“And it’s a lot. And whatever time it was by the clock, Joe says it was shortly before the excitement began?”
“Yes, sir, he says just that.”
