CROSBY.  I know it sounds foolish, but we were having a spiritualistic seance.  Madame la Grange is a medium.

DONOHUE.  I see.

CROSBY.  We were sitting in the dark, in a circle, you know, holding hands.  Suddenly Wales cried out.  I called to my son to turn on the light.  He did so.  Wales was leaning forward in his chair.  His hands were in those of the people he sat between, and all the rest of us were sitting around.

DONOHUE.  All of you?

CROSBY.  Yes.

DONOHUE.  I thought you told your son to turn on the lights.

CROSBY.  If you’re implying that—­

DONOHUE.  I’m not implying anything, and please answer my questions.

WILLIAM (rises, and stands back of table R.).  Inspector, I was sitting there, and simply made a move to turn on the light.  I had chosen the seat purposely.  We wanted to expose trickery, if we found any.

DONOHUE.  I understand. (He turns again to CROSBY.) Go on, Mr. Crosby.

CROSBY.  In a moment poor Wales fell to the floor.  I ran to him and found that he had been stabbed in the back.  Before we could call for aid, he was dead.

DONOHUE.  Did he say anything?

CROSBY.  No.  I think that he was dead before we got to him.

DONOHUE.  What happened then?

CROSBY.  As soon as I realized what had happened I sent for you.

DONOHUE.  Why for me?  Why not simply notify the police?  I mean, was there any special reason for wanting me?

CROSBY.  There was, but I wasn’t conscious of it at the time.  We’d been talking about the killing of Spencer Lee earlier in the evening, and I suppose that subconsciously I remembered that you were handling that case, which brought yours as the first name to my mind.  That’s all.

DONOHUE.  I see. (Going C._ a few steps._) Now then, who’s been in or out of this room since?  Of course, you know you had no right to move Mr. Wales.

CROSBY (L.C.).  Yes, I know, but I couldn’t let him lie there on the floor.  It was a little too much.  You see we were all locked in here and and—­

DONOHUE.  Locked in!  You mean as I found you when I came?

CROSBY.  Exactly.  We had all of the windows fastened and all doors locked for the seance.  Pollock had the keys, I refused to let him open the door until you came.

DONOHUE.  Mr. Crosby, you are forgiven for breaking the Coroner’s rules.  As I understand, then, you were sitting in this room with the doors and windows locked; you were in the dark.  Wales was stabbed in the back, the lights were turned on, and no one has left the room or entered since?

CROSBY.  No one but you.