“No, sir; he has not been there to-day.  He was ill last night, and he is ill to-day.  He sent us his excuses.  If he had been in the building, I doubt whether I would have given the order to burst open the door.  I would simply have requested him to use his key.  And he would have done so and kept his own counsel.  I do not know as I can say as much for any of his subordinates.  Happily, no spying eye was about at that time; and Stevens will be sure to see that he is not watched at his work if he has to lock the door upon the whole bunch of directors.”

“This is to be a secret investigation, then?”

“I would so advise.”

“With every reporter headed off, and anyone likely to report to a reporter headed off also?”

“Do not you advise this?”

“I do.  Anything more?”

“Not till we hear from Stevens.”

They had not long to wait.  Sooner than they expected the expert mentioned came in.  He held a batch of papers in his hand, which at a gesture from the Inspector he spread out before them.  Then he spoke: 

“One man and one man only has passed down those stairs.  But that man has passed down them twice—­once with rubbers on and once without.  There are signs equally plain of his having gone up them, but only once, and at the time he wore the rubbers.  I took every pains possible to preserve and photograph the prints, but as you see, great confusion was caused by the second line of steps falling half on and half off the other.  All I dare read there is this:  A quick run up and a quick run down by a man in rubbers, and then a second run down by the same man in shoes.  That’s the whole story.  These other scraps of paper,” he went on as he saw the Inspector’s eye travel to some small bits lying on the side, “are what I have to show as the result of my search on and about the western pedestal for finger-prints.  A gloved hand drew that bow.  See here:  this is an impression I obtained from the inner edge of the pedestal in question.”

He pulled forward a small square of paper; the sewing of a kid glove was plainly indicated there.

When Stevens had gone, the Inspector exclaimed meaningly: 

“Gryce!  Name your man; we shall get on faster.”

The aged detective rose.

“I dare not,” he said.  “Give me one—­two days.  I must have time to think—­to collect my evidence.  A name once mentioned leaves an echo.  When my echo rings, it must carry no false sound.  Remember, I did not sleep last night.  When I present this case to you as I see it, I must be at my best.  I am not at my best to-day.”

This was doubtless true, but the Inspector had not discovered it.

XII

“SPARE NOBODY!  I SAY, SPARE NOBODY!”

On his way home Mr. Gryce stopped at the Calderon to inquire how Mrs. Taylor was doing, and what his prospects were for a limited interview with her.