Yet he couldn't be a regular visitor to the place, because Gaspard had
said that he had never seen either of the two men before the fatal
evening.

Therefore, as Hammond had recognized Gaspard, he must be the man who was
in room A, because the man in room B had not seen the head waiter,
according to Gaspard's story.

Hammond, after the first shock of surprise, recovered his nerve
wonderfully.

He calmly took a chair and sat there in deep thought for nearly five
minutes. He paid no attention to questions.

Finally he looked up and said:

"I don't know why I should deny it to you. There is no charge against
the man in room A."

"None whatever," said Nick. "He is wanted merely as a witness."

"It occurred to me that you might have some theory of a conspiracy in
which both men were concerned."

"I never thought of it."

"Then I am not to be put under arrest?"

"Certainly not, unless some new evidence appears, and I do not expect