He said this with rare dramatic effect; but Tarling was unimpressed, and
Whiteside looked up from his notes with a twinkle in his eye.

"You hobby seems to be preparing for suicide and changing your mind," he
said.

"I am sorry to hear you speak so flippantly on a solemn subject," said
Milburgh. "As I say, I waited a little too long; but I was anxious for
complete darkness to fall before I made my way into the flat. This I did
easily because Odette had lent me her key. I found her bag with no
difficulty--it was in the dining-room on a shelf, and placing the case
upon her bed, I proceeded, as best I could, for I am not very familiar
with the articles of feminine toilette, to put together such things as I
knew she would require on the journey.

"I was thus engaged when, as I say, it occurred to me that I had
mistaken the time of the train, and, looking at my watch, I saw to my
consternation that I should not be able to get down to the station in
time. Happily I had arranged to call her up, as I have already told you."

"One moment," said Tarling. "How were you dressed?"

"How was I dressed? Let me think. I wore a heavy overcoat, I know," said
Mr. Milburgh, "for the night was chilly and a little foggy, if you
remember."

"Where was the revolver?"

"In the overcoat pocket," replied Milburgh immediately.

"Had you your overcoat on?"

Milburgh thought for a moment.

"No, I had not. I had hung it up on a hook at the foot of the bed, near
the alcove which I believe Miss Rider used as a wardrobe."

"And when you went out to telephone, had you your overcoat?"

"No, that I am perfectly certain about," said Milburgh readily. "I
remember thinking later how foolish it was to bring an overcoat out and
not use it."

"Go on," said Tarling.

"Well, I reached the station, called up the hotel, and to my surprise and
annoyance Miss Rider did not answer. I asked the porter who answered my
'phone call whether he had seen a young lady dressed in so-and-so waiting
in the lounge, and he replied 'no.' Therefore," said Mr. Milburgh
emphatically, "you will agree that it is possible that Miss Rider was not
either at the station or at the hotel, and there was a distinct
possibility that she had doubled back."

"We want the facts," interrupted Whiteside. "We have enough theories.
Tell us what happened. Then we will draw our own conclusions."

"Very good, sir," replied Milburgh courteously. "By the time I had
telephoned it was half-