which he was last seen alive.

"But who was likely to have had such a motive? Let us see.

"I said just now that if Mr. Jellicoe had murdered John Bellingham and
disposed of the body in the mummy-case, he would have been absolutely
safe for the time being. But there would be a weak spot in his armor.
For a month or more the disappearance of his client would occasion no
remark. But presently, when he failed to return, inquiries would be
set on foot; and then it would appear that no one had seen him since he
left Queen Square. Then it would be noted that the last person with
whom he was seen was Mr. Jellicoe. It might, further, be remembered
that the mummy had been delivered to the Museum some time _after_ the
missing man was last seen alive. And so suspicion might arise and be
followed by disastrous investigations. But supposing it should be made
to appear that John Bellingham had been seen alive more than a month
after his interview with Mr. Jellicoe and some weeks after the mummy
had been deposited in the Museum? Then Mr. Jellicoe would cease to be
in any way connected with the disappearance and henceforth would be
absolutely safe.

"Hence, after carefully considering this part of the newspaper report,
I came to the conclusion that the mysterious occurrence at Mr. Hurst's
house had only one reasonable explanation, namely, that the visitor was
not John Bellingham, but some one personating him; and that that some
one was Mr. Jellicoe.

"It remains to consider the case of Godfrey Bellingham and his
daughter, though I cannot understand how any sane person can have
seriously suspected either" (here Inspector Badger smiled a sour
smile). "The evidence against them was negligible, for there was
nothing to connect them with the affair save the finding of the scarab
on their premises; and that event which might have been highly
suspicious under other circumstances, was robbed of any significance by
the fact that the scarab was found on a spot which had been passed a
few minutes previously by the other suspected party, Hurst. The
finding of the scarab did, however, establish two important
conclusions: namely, that John Bellingham had probably met with foul
play, and that of the four persons present when it was found, one at
least had had possession of the body. As to which of the four was the
one, the circumstances furnished only a hint, which was this: If the
scarab had been purposely dropped, the most likely pe