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 it." 

 "Very well; I was the man in room A." 

 "And who was the lady?" 

 "I decline to mention her name. She has nothing to do with this case. You will easily understand that I do not wish to bring a lady's name into a tragedy of this kind." 

 "I can understand that. Now tell me why you feel so sure of this man Jones' innocence." 

 "Will you promise to keep me out of this affair as much as you can?" 

 "Why do you wish it? What are you afraid of?" 

 "Well," said Hammond, looking very much embarrassed, "I'm a married man, very respectable sort of a fellow; and the lady with whom I dined was not my wife. It's all right, you know. My wife is not a jealous woman. But the thing would not look well in print." 

 "I won't make this public if I can help it, Mr. Hammond. Not that I have much sympathy for you. You shouldn't have been there. But the publicity would annoy your wife, and do nobody any good." 

 "Thank you," said Hammond, with a grim smile; "now 

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