"Withheld?
But I've told you everything - absolutely everything!"
"I think not.
You had a conversation with the deceased on the afternoon of his death?"
"Yes, yes, I had tea with him. I told you so."
"You told us that, yes, but you did not tell us about your conversation."
"We - just - talked."
"What about?"
"Daily happenings, the house, Sophia -"
"What about Associated Catering? Was that mentioned?"
I think I had hoped up to then that Josephine had been inventing the whole story - but if so, that hope was quickly quenched.
Roger's face changed.
It changed in a moment from eagerness to something that was recognisably close to despair.
"Oh my God," he said.
He dropped into a chair and buried his face in his hands.
Taverner smiled like a contented cat.
"You admit, Mr Leonides, that you have not been frank with us?"
"How did you get to know about that?
I thought nobody knew - I don't see how anybody could know."
"We have means of finding out these things, Mr Leonides."
There was a majestic pause.
"I think you will see now that you had better tell us the truth."
"Yes, yes, of course.
I'll tell you.
What do you want to know?"
"Is it true that Associated Catering is on the verge of collapse?"
"Yes.
It can't be staved off now.
The crash is bound to come.
If only my father could have died without ever knowing. I feel so ashamed - so disgraced -"
"There is a possibility of criminal prosecution?"
Roger sat up sharply.
"No, indeed.
It will be bankruptcy - but an honourable bankruptcy.
Creditors will be paid twenty shillings in the pound if I throw in my personal assets which I shall do.
No, the disgrace I feel is to have failed my father.
He trusted me.
He made over to me this, his largest concern - and his pet concern.
He never interfered, he never asked what I was doing.
He just - trusted me...
And I let him down."
My father said drily:
"You say there was no likelihood of criminal prosecution?
Why then, had you and your wife planned to go abroad without telling anybody of your intention?"
"You know that, too?"
"Yes, Mr Leonides."
"But don't you see?" He leaned forward eagerly. "I couldn't face him with the truth.
It would have looked, you see, as if I was asking for money?
As though I wanted him to set me on my feet again.
He - he was very fond of me.