Chapter Twenty-four
L adislaus Malinowski looked from one to the other of the two police officers and flung back his head and laughed.
“It is very amusing!” he said. “You look solemn as owls¹. It is ridiculous that you should ask me to come here andwish to ask me questions. You have nothing against me, nothing.”
“We think you may be able to assist us in our inquiries², Mr. Malinowski.” Chief-Inspector Davy spoke³ with officialsmoothness. “You own a car, Mercedes-Otto, registration⁴ number FAN 2266.”
“Is there any reason why I should not own such a car?”
“No reason at all, sir. There’s just a little uncertainty⁵ as to the correct number. Your car was on a motor road, M7,and the registration plate on that occasion was a different one.”
“Nonsense. It must have been some other car.”
“There aren’t so many of that make. We have checked up on those there are.”
“You believe everything, I suppose, that your traffic police tell you! It is laughable! Where was all this?”
“The place where the police stopped you and asked to see your licence is not very far from Bedhampton. It was onthe night of the Irish Mail robbery.”
“You really do amuse me,” said Ladislaus Malinowski.
“You have a revolver?”
“Certainly, I have a revolver and an automatic pistol. I have proper licences for them.”
“Quite so. They are both still in your possession?”
“Certainly.”
“I have already warned you, Mr. Malinowski.”
“The famous policeman’s warning! Anything you say will be taken down and used against you at your trial.”
“That’s not quite the wording,” said Father mildly. “Used, yes. Against, no. You don’t want to qualify thatstatement of yours?”
“No, I do not.”
“And you are sure you don’t want your solicitor⁶ here?”
“I do not like

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