orror of them."

We all examined the keyhole of the safe, but there was certainly no
evidence to show that it had been tampered with. On the contrary, the
little oval brass plate which closed the hole was rusty, and had not
apparently been touched for weeks.

While they were searching in other parts of the room I directed my
attention to the position and appearance of my late patient. He was
lying on his right side with one arm slightly raised in quite a
natural attitude for one sleeping. His features, although the pallor
of death was upon them and they were relaxed, showed no sign of
suffering. The blow had been unerring, and had no doubt penetrated to
the heart. The crime had been committed swiftly, and the murderer had
escaped unseen and unheard.

The eider-down quilt, a rich one of Gobelin blue satin, had scarcely
been disturbed, and save for the small spot of blood upon the sheet,
traces of a terrible crime were in no way apparent.

While, however, I stood at the bedside, at the same spot most probably
where the murderer had stood, I suddenly felt something uneven between
the sole of my boot and the carpet. So intent was I upon the
examination I was making that at first my attention was not attracted
by it, but on stepping on it a second time I looked down and saw
something white, which I quickly picked up.

The instant I saw it I closed my hand and hid it from view.

Then I glanced furtively around, and seeing that my action had been
unobserved I quickly transferred it to my vest pocket, covering the
movement by taking out my watch to glance at it.

I confess that my heart beat quickly, and in all probability the
colour at that moment had left my face, for I had, by sheer accident,
discovered a clue.

To examine it there was impossible, for of such a character was it
that I had no intention, as yet, to arouse the suspicions of the
police. I intended at the earliest moment to apprise my friend, Ambler
Jevons, of the facts and with him pursue an entirely independent
inquiry.

Scarcely had I safely pocketed the little object I had picked up from
where the murderer must have stood when the inspector went out upon
the landing and called to the constable in the hall:

"Four-sixty-two, lock that door and come up here a moment."

"Yes, sir," answered a gruff voice from below, and in a few moments
the constable entered, closing the door after him.

"How many times have you passed this house on your beat to-n