Dialogue 10. The Suspect

Policeman Good evening, sir. I’d like to ask you а few questions, if you don' t mind.

Suspect By all means, officer. I’m only too glad to help if I can. But I know nothing about it.

Policeman About what?

Suspect About the murder that someone committed next door two nights ago, of course.

Policeman Hm! Did you hear anything unusual that night?

Suspect Oh, no I heard nothing at all.

Policeman Did you see anything out of the ordinary?

Suspect No, I saw nothing, officer.

Policeman Did you speak to anybody that evening?

Suspect No, nobody. I was sitting here watching television. I was minding my own business.

Policeman So murder isn't your business, sir? Someone fired six shots with а revolver, but you heard nothing... a man ran through that door five minutes after the crime, but you saw nothing and spoke to no one... Yet you say that you sat in that chair the whole evening and went nowhere... It all sounds very suspicious to me, sir. Have you anything to add?

Suspect Nothing at all.

Policeman Then I have no more questions to ask ... but you won' t get away with it.

Suspect What was that?

Policeman We shall proceed with our enquiries, sir.

Dialogue 11. The lost tie

Mike Have you seem my new tie, Mum?

Mother Which new tie?

Mike The red one I bought in London a couple of weeks ago. I wore it to the

dinner party at the Dawson's place on Saturday and I haven't worn it or

seen it since.

Mother No, I don't think I've seen it this week, but have you looked for it

properly? I expect you threw it carelessly into the back of the wardrobe after the party — the way you usually do.

Mike I've looked for it everywhere. And it's not in the wardrobe. Have you

tidied up my bedroom again and put all my things away in a new place

where I'll never find them?

Mother I always put your ties away in the wardrobe where they belong, so don't

blame me. Are you sure you haven't worn that tie since Saturday?

Mike No, I don't think so.

Mother On Tuesday you went out with Janet and I think you put it on then. You

didn't come in until one o'clock in the morning and I was already in

bed. Perhaps you took it off in Janet's house and left it there.

Mike Ah! I remember now. It was a bit hot and I took my tie off in the car

on the way home on Tuesday. I suppose it's still on the shelf under the

dashboard.

Mother As usual you've only got yourself to blame. It's a good job your head is

firmly fixed to your shoulders — otherwise I'm sure you'd lose that

too.