'It all began this morning, when I sprained my wrist…'

It was a slow, long-winded account filled with much extraneous detail but the others heard him out in silence. While he was speaking, his essential character was laid bare and Colbeck saw that the porter was a decent, honest, hard-working young man in terror of losing a job that was a labour of love to him. The inspector was surprised to hear that he had been kept at the station beyond the time when his shift ended and guessed that the wife about whom Hibbert had spoken so fondly would be very distressed at her husband's lateness. When the narrative at last came to an end, Colbeck's first concern was for Molly Hibbert.

'Did you not think to send your wife a message?' he asked.

'Mr Fagge refused to let me, Inspector.'

'That was very high-handed of him. He had no right to deny you and should have been overruled by the stationmaster.'

'I tried to put myself in Mrs Hibbert's position,' said Reade, attempting to justify his actions. 'I felt that she would be very upset if she had a note from Reg to say that he was being held here, pending the arrival of detectives from Scotland Yard.'

'Why not simply tell her that her husband was working overtime?' said Colbeck reasonably. 'That would at least have given her peace of mind.'

'That never occurred to me, Inspector. To tell you the truth, this incident with the hatbox left me rather jangled. It's not the sort of thing that happens every day – thank God!'

'It must have caused a great stir.'

'It did,' confirmed Hibbert. 'There were dozens of people on the platform. They all gathered round for a goggle at the head.'

'That was unfortunate,' said Colbeck. 'In the confusion, the person who would have reclaimed that hatbox slipped away. I don't suppose you recall any other luggage for a Mr Key?'

'I never look at the names, Inspector – only the destination. If it says "Crewe" on the ticket, I unload it here.'