read on: "Height five
foot four, sallow complexion ... wearing a grey suit and underclothing
bearing the markings of the County Asylum.... Hullo!"

"What is it?" said Tarling.

"This is remarkable," said Whiteside, and read

"When the patient escaped, he had bare feet. He takes a very small
size in shoes, probably four or five. A kitchen knife is missing and
the patient may be armed. Boot-makers should be warned...."

"Bare feet!" Tarling rose from the table with a frown on his face. "Sam
Stay hated Odette Rider."

The two men exchanged glances.

"Now, do you see who killed Mrs. Rider?" asked Tarling. "She was killed
by one who saw Odette Rider go into the house, and did not see her come
out; who went in after her to avenge, as he thought, his dead patron. He
killed this unhappy woman--the initials on the knife, M.C.A., stand for
Middlesex County Asylum, and he brought the knife with him--and
discovered his mistake; then, having searched for a pair of shoes to
cover his bleeding feet, and having failed to get into the house by any
other way, made a circuit of the building, looking for Odette Rider and
seeking an entrance at every window."

Whiteside looked at him in astonishment.

"It's a pity you've got money," he said admiringly. "When you retire from
this business there'll be a great detective lost."

CHAPTER XXXI

SAM STAY TURNS UP

"I have seen you somewhere before, ain't I?"

The stout clergyman in the immaculate white collar beamed benevolently at
the questioner and shook his head with a gentle smile.

"No, my dear friend, I do not think I have ever seen you before."

It was a little man, shabbily dressed, and looking ill. His face was
drawn and lined; he had not shaved for days, and the thin, black stubble
of hair gave him a sinister look. The clergyman had just walked out of
Temple Gardens and was at the end of Villiers Street leading up to the
Strand, when he was accosted. He was a happy-looking clergyman, and
something of a student, too, if the stout and serious volume under his
arm had any significance.

"I've seen you before," said the little man, "I've dreamt about you."

"If you'll excuse me," said the clergyman, "I am afraid I cannot stay.
I have an important engagement."

"Hold hard," said the little man, in so fierce a tone that the other
stopped. "I tell you I've dreamt about you. I've seen you dancing with
four black devils with no clothes on, and you were