He ambled on and on, quite content to do all the talking and showing no sign of coming to the point and explaining why he had wanted to have a talk with Larose, but the latter noted that many times he half-paused in his remarks to give him a very intent look.
At last the detective, who realised all his time was being wasted, broke in upon one of Sir Parry's discursions into philosophy.
“Excuse me,” he said most politely, “but I must be going soon and I want to ask you a few questions.” He went straight to the point. “Now can you vouch for the character of young Huntington?”
Sir Parry spoke most decisively. “Most certainly I can,” he replied. “I've known him since he was 14 and he's one of the best and most trusted officers who have ever been employed upon my boats.”
“But he was not spe
