noon
Manderson had told his wife when he went to bed that he had changed his mind , and sent Marlowe to Southampton to get some important information from someone who was crossing by the next day 's boat . It seemed right enough ; but you see , Marlowe was the only one of the household who was n't under my hand , so to speak ; he did n't return in the car until later in the evening ; so before thinking the matter out any further , I wired to Southampton making certain inquiries . Early this morning I got this reply . '' He handed a series of telegraph slips to Trent , who read : Person answering description in motor answering description arrived Bedford Hotel here 6:30 this morning gave name Marlowe left car hotel garage told attendant car belonged Manderson had bath and breakfast went out heard of later at docks inquiring for passenger name Harris on Havre boat inquired repeatedly until boat left at noon next heard of at hotel where he lunched about 1:15 , left soon afterwards in car company 's agents inform berth was booked name Harris last week but Harris did not travel by boat . Burke Inspector . `` Simple and satisfactory , '' observed Mr. Murch as Trent , after twice reading the message , returned it to him . `` His own story corroborated in every particular .