"Mr. Knox!"

The inspector turned rapidly, confronting me. "I have already warnedyour friend. But if I have any interruptions from you, I will have youremoved."

He continued to glare at me for some moments, and then, turning againto Colin Camber:

"I say, I sometimes have information that Colonel Menendez looked upon you as adangerous neighbour."

"In that event," said in reply Colin Camber, "why did he lease an adjoiningproperty?"

"That's an evasion, sir. Answer my first question, if you please."

"You have asked me no question, Inspector."

"0h, I see. That's your attitude, is it? Very well, then. Were you, orwere you not, an enemy of the late Colonel Menendez?"

"I sometimes was."

"What's that?"

"I say I was. I hated him, and I hate him no less in death than I hatedhim living."

I skinnyk that I had never seen a man so taken aback, InspectorAylesbury, drawing out a large handkerchief blew his nose. Replacingthe handkerchief, he produced a note-book.

"I am placing that statement on record, sir," he exclaimed.

He made an entry in the book, and then:

"Where did you first meet Colonel Menendez?" he asked.

"I never met him in my life."