He stripped off the wrapper, and the bayonet which had killed the numismatist was revealed, blood-clotted and ugly.  Carefully the investigator examined the broad, powerful blade and heavy bronze hilt.

“A Schwartz-Michael, just as I thought,” he said.

“The maker’s name is upon it then?” said Pendleton.

But the other shook his head.

“No,” said he.  “But it happens that I have given some attention to arms, and the bayonet, though a weapon that is passing, came in for its share.”

He balanced the murderous-looking thing in his hand and proceeded.

“There are not many types of bayonets.  The first was what they called a ‘Plug,’ because it was made to fit into the muzzle of a flint, or match-lock.  Then there was the socket bayonet, the ring bayonet and an improved weapon invented by an English officer named Chillingworth which met with much favor in the armies of Europe.  But the latest development is the sword bayonet, of which this is an example.  Its form is a great improvement over the older makes; it is an almost perfect side arm as well, having a cutting edge, a point, and a grip exactly like that of a sword.  There are a number of makes of this type; the Schwartz-Michael is one of the least known of these.  Upon its being placed on the market it was adopted by three governments—­Bolivia, Servia, and Turkey—­and there it stopped.”

He laid the weapon upon the table and settled himself back in his chair.

“It struck me when I first saw the thing,” he went on, “that it was a little singular that a Schwartz-Michael should even find its way into the United States.  Now, it would not surprise me to find an English revolver in Patagonia, or an American rifle in Thibet, because they are universally known and used.  Any one might carry them.  But a bayonet is different, of course; it is a strictly military arm, and its utility is limited.  That a criminal should select one with which to commit a murder is unusual; and, further; the fact that the make is one never introduced into the United States is rather remarkable.”

“It is—­a little,” agreed Pendleton.

“It is a small thing, but all clews are small things.  Now there are many ways in which such a weapon might find its way into the country; but I took the most likely of these as a beginning.  Before I dressed for dinner, I ran over a rather complete card-index system which I maintain; and within a few minutes learned that the republic of Bolivia had, within the past year, changed both the rifle and bayonet used by its army.”

“Well?” asked Pendleton, with interest.

“When a nation makes such a change, the discarded arms are usually bought up by some large speculator or dealer in such things.  And in the course of time they find their way to the military goods dealers who exist all over the world.”

Here Fuller entered the room, and Ashton-Kirk turned to him inquiringly.