[Snmap-developer] by it?" "I'll tell you what I mean, Mr. Mallalieu

[Kobialka <cl...@on...>]

 a sure thing?" Before Stoner could reply Mr. Pursey entered the arena.
His face displayed the pleased expression of the man who has special
information. "It's an odd thing, now, David," he said in a high, piping
voice, "a very odd thing, that this should happen when I come up into
these parts--almost as foreign to me as the Fiji Islands might be. Yes,
sir," he went on, turning to Stoner, "it's very odd! I knew that man
Kitely." Stoner could have jumped from his seat, but he restrained
himself, and contrived to show no more than a polite interest. "Oh,
indeed, sir?" he said. "The poor man that was murdered? You knew him?"
"I remember him very well indeed," assented Mr. Pursey. "Yes, although I
only met him once, I've a very complete recollection of the man. I spent
a very pleasant evening with him and one or two more of his
profession--better sort of police and detectives, you know--at a
friend's of mine, who was one of our Wilchester police officials--oh,
it's--yes--it must be thirty years since. They'd come from London, of
course, on some criminal business. Deary me!--the tales them fellows
could tell!" "Thirty years is a long time, sir," observed Stoner
politely. "Aye, but I remember it quite well,"