will notice, monsieur, that the
writing-table stood with one end against the wall, the left wall of the
room, as one enters from the butler's pantry. It is a queer table. One
side of it has a row of drawers coming to the floor and the other side
is open so one may sit with one's knees under it. On the night of the
tragedy this table was sitting at right angles to the left wall, that
is to say, monsieur, with this end open for the writer's knees close up
against the left wall of the room. That meant, monsieur, that on this
night Mr. Marsh was sitting at the table with his back to the passage
from the butler's pantry, close up against the left wall of the room.

"Therefore, monsieur," the girl went on, "the man who assassinated Mr.
Marsh entered from the butler's pantry. He slipped into the room along
the left wall close up behind his victim.... Did it not occur so."

This was the evidence of the police officials and the experts. It was
clear from the position of the desk in the room and from the details of
the evidence.

"And, monsieur," she said, "will you tell me, is it true that the stab
wound which killed Mr. Marsh was in the shoulder on the side next to the
wall?"

"Yes," said the judge, "that is true."

The prosecutor, urged by Thompson, now made a verbal objection. The
case was practically completed. The incident going on in the court-room
followed no definite legal procedure and could not be permitted to
proceed. The judge stopped him.

"Sit down," he said. He did not offer any explanation or comment. He
merely silenced the man and returned to the girl standing eagerly on the
step before the bench.

"The wound was in the base of the man's neck at the top of the left
shoulder on the side next to the wall," he said. "But what has this fact
to do with the case?"

"Oh, monsieur," she cried, "it has everything to do with it. If the
assassin who slipped along the wall had carried the knife in his right
hand, the wound would have been on the right side of the dead man's
neck. But if, monsieur, the assassin carried the knife in his left hand,
then the wound would be where it is, on the left side. That made me
believe, at first, that the assassin had only one arm--had lost
his right arm--and must use the other; then, a little later, I
understood.... Oh, monsieur, don't you understand; don't you see that
the assassin who stabbed Mr. Marsh was left-handed?"

In a moment it was all clear to everybody. Only a left