the issues involved in that question is
obvious and we need not consider it. But the question of time has
another kind of significance. Cases have occurred, as I pointed out in
the lecture, in which proof of survivorship by less than a minute has
secured succession to property. Now, the missing man was last seen
alive at Mr. Hurst's house at twenty minutes past five on the
twenty-third of November. But he appears to have visited his brother's
house at Woodford, and, since nobody saw him at that house, it is at
present uncertain whether he went there before calling on Mr. Hurst.
If he went there first, then twenty minutes past five on the evening of
the twenty-third is the latest moment at which he is known to have been
alive; but if he went there after, there would have to be added to this
time the shortest time possible in which he could travel from the one
house to the other.

"But the question as to which house he visited first hinges on the
scarab. If he was wearing the scarab when he arrived at Mr. Hurst's
house, it would be certain that he went there first; but if it was not
then on his watch-chain, a probability would be established that he
went first to Woodford. Thus, you see, a question which may
conceivably become of the most vital moment in determining the
succession of property turns on the observation or non-observation by
this housemaid of an apparently trivial and insignificant fact."

"Has the servant made any statement on this subject, sir?" I ventured
to inquire.

"Apparently not," replied Dr. Thorndyke; "at any rate, there is no
reference to any such statement in the newspaper report, though
otherwise, the case is reported in great detail; indeed, the wealth of
detail, including plans of the two houses, is quite remarkable and well
worth noting as being in itself a fact of considerable interest."

"In what respect, sir, is it of interest?" one of the students asked.

"Ah," replied Dr. Thorndyke, "I think I must leave you to consider that
question yourself. This is an untried case, and we mustn't make free
with the actions and motives of individuals."

"Does the paper give any description of the missing man, sir?" I asked.

"Yes; quite an exhaustive description. Indeed, it is exhaustive to the
verge of impropriety, considering that the man may turn up alive and
well at any moment. It seems that he has an old Pott's fracture of the
left ankle, a linear, longitudinal scar on each knee--