:33:04
I suppose I'm right in thinking that you
had no communication with Hammond...
:33:08
-...for several weeks before the catastrophe.
-I'm positive of that.
:33:11
The last time I saw him was at
a tennis party at the McFarrens' .
:33:15
Don't suppose I said more than two
words to him.
:33:17
They have two courts, you know,
and we played different sets.
:33:20
-And you hadn't written to him?
-Oh, no.
:33:23
Well, at one time you were on
fairly intimate terms with him.
:33:28
How did it happen that you stopped
asking him to anything?
:33:31
Well, we didn't have much in common,
and he's very popular, you know.
:33:35
A lot of calls upon his time, and...
:33:37
...well, I didn't see the necessity
of showering him with invitations.
:33:41
You're quite certain that was all?
:33:45
Well, I may as well tell you....
:33:48
We heard about his wife.
:33:51
And once, quite by chance,
I actually saw her.
:33:54
Oh?
You never mentioned that.
:33:57
-What was she like?
-Horrible.
:33:59
She was all covered with gold chains
and bracelets and spangles...
:34:03
...her face like a mask.
:34:06
And it was after you knew about her
that you stopped...
:34:09
-...having anything to do with Hammond?
-Yes.
:34:16
I think I should tell you that there is
in existence a letter in your handwriting...
:34:20
...from you to Geoff Hammond.
:34:23
Well, I often wrote him a little note
about something or other...
:34:27
...or to get me something if I heard
he was going into Singapore.
:34:30
This letter asks him to come and see you
because Robert was going to be away.
:34:35
But that's impossible.
You see, I never did anything of the kind.
:34:47
Better read it for yourself.
:34:49
-But that's not my handwriting.
-I know.
:34:51
It's said to be an exact copy of one
written on the day of Hammond's death.