e night that the murder occurred, I happened to be in the hall
about nine or a little after, when I saw a man and a woman through the
shaded glass standing on the steps outside. I opened the door before
they could ring. For the moment I thought the man was Mr. Grell, but a
second later I recognised Goldenburg. He did not remember me. The woman,
too, I knew at once. I had met her occasionally in different cities of
Europe. It was the Princess Petrovska. Goldenburg spoke of an
appointment and showed me a note from Mr. Grell directing that the
bearer should be shown to the study to await his arrival.

"That was enough for me. I showed them up and left them. I did not hear
Mr. Grell return, but about ten o'clock he rang for me and met me at the
door of his study. He told me that he was expecting a lady, and if she
called she was to be brought straight up; and he said the other people
were just going. Almost immediately after he told me she came. Wills was
going to the door, but I was in front, and I showed her up."

Foyle shifted his position a little. "Who was she?" he asked.

"I couldn't see her face; she wore a heavy veil."

"All right; go on."

"I knocked at the door of the study, but no one replied. She pushed by
me and entered, closing the door after her. I went away to my own room.
Whatever was taking place was no business of mine. I must have dozed off
in my chair, for when I was awakened by Mr. Grell shaking me by the
shoulder, he was white and quite collected.

"'Ivan,' he said, 'there's been murder. Come with me. Don't speak, and
tread softly.'

"I followed him into the study. All the lights were out, and before
turning them up he locked the door. As he turned the switch I could see
the body lying on the couch, and drew back. 'Who is it?' I asked.

"'Goldenburg,' he replied. And after a pause: 'He was a relative of
mine. I have killed him. You must help me to get away, Ivan.'

"He seemed profoundly moved and yet held himself strongly in hand. One
thing I noticed. Although he said he had done it, his hands and clothes
were spotless. And yet there had been much blood about the room. I said
nothing of that, and he quickly began to turn things out of his pockets.
Both he and the dead man were in evening dress, and he hastily
transferred all his property to the dead man's pockets, taking what
Goldenburg possessed. He picked up the sheath of the dagger from the
floor. It was one he had bought in South America.