d be safer. If they were seen, even in the dead of night, in
the corridor--possibly in slippers and pajamas--by the watchman, no
suspicion would have been aroused. Previously they had managed to get an
impression of the seal and made one like it. They then broke the seal
and entered the room by means of a master key. The confederate outside
immediately clapped on another seal, and those inside were quite safe
until they were ready. After the body was stolen, another seal was
affixed which gave them plenty of time and prevented discovery by the
night watchman, to say nothing of the addition of mystery to the thing."

The inspector nodded approvingly. So far as he could see, the reasoning
was perfectly clear. But then it did not tend to throw any light on the
strange disappearance of the body.

"So far I follow you perfectly, sir," Field said. "Nothing could be
clearer or more logical. In that way it would be comparatively easy to
enter the bedroom and make preparations for the removal of the body
without any chance of being interrupted. At this part the real trouble
begins. The body is a bulky thing, and has to be removed from the hotel.
How was that to be done? How could it be done without somebody knowing?
That is where I am at fault."

"It could be done in this way," Mark said. "The body might have been
removed to a bedroom close by and packed in a large trunk by somebody
who ostensibly was going by a very early train."

"Pardon me," the inspector interrupted, "nobody went by an early train.
We have gone into that most carefully. Of course a lot of people have
left early to-day--as they do every day--but, so far as I can hear,
nobody in the least suspicious."

"Then it was done in another manner. It is not quite clear to me how, at
present, although I have my idea on the subject. Before I could speak
definitely on that point I should like to see the night watchman and the
hall porter."

But neither of these officials was present. They had gone off duty at
seven o'clock, and they did not return again till late in the afternoon.
It seemed a pity to disturb their rest, but Field decided that they must
be sent for--and indeed he had already dispatched a messenger for that
purpose. Till the two men came to the hotel, nothing further could be
done in that direction. There was a little pause here.

"I fancy I can throw some light on this," Beatrice said. "In the first
place, will somebody ascertain for me whether the