Part 31 (1/2)

He led the way into the apartment from which he had been summoned, and we followed him. It was small and nicely furnished, but not a South-Sea curio or native weapon was to be seen in it. Then we followed him to the corresponding room at the back of the house. This was upholstered in the latest fas.h.i.+on; but again there was no sign of what Beckenham had led us to expect we should find. We were completely nonplussed.

”I am afraid we have troubled you without cause,” said the Inspector, as we pa.s.sed out into the hall again.

”Don't mention it,” the owner answered; ”I find my compensation in the knowledge that I am not involved in any police unpleasantness.”

”By the way,” said the Inspector suddenly, ”have you any idea who your neighbours may be?”

”Oh, dear, yes!” the man replied. ”On my right I have a frigidly respectable widow of Low Church tendencies. On my left, the Chief Teller of the Bank of New Holland.”

”In that case we can only apologize for our intrusion and wish you good-morning.”

”Pray don't apologize. I should have been glad to have a.s.sisted you.

Good-morning.”

We went down the steps again and out into the street. As we pa.s.sed through the gate, the Inspector stopped and examined a mark on the right-hand post. Then he stooped and picked up what looked like a pebble. Having done so we resumed our walk.

”What on earth can be the meaning of it all?” I asked. ”Can his lords.h.i.+p have made a mistake?”

”No, I think not. We have been cleverly duped, that's all.”

”What makes you think so?”

”I didn't think so until we pa.s.sed through the gate on our way out. Now I'm certain of it. Come across the street.”

I followed him across the road to a small plain-looking house, with a neatly-curtained bow window and a bra.s.s plate on the front door. From the latter I discovered that the proprietress of the place was a dressmaker, but I was completely at a loss to understand why we were visiting her. As soon as the door was opened the Inspector asked if Miss Tiffins were at home, and, on being told that she was, inquired if we might see her. The maid went away to find out, and presently returned and begged us to follow her. We did so down a small pa.s.sage towards the door of the room which contained the bow window.

Miss Tiffins bade us be seated, and then asked in what way she could be of service to us.

”In the first place, madam,” said the Inspector, ”a serious crime has been perpetrated, and I have reason to believe that it may be in your power to give us a clue to the persons who committed it.”

”You frighten me, sir,” replied the lady. ”I cannot at all see in what way I can help you. I lead a life of the greatest quietness.”

”I do not wish to imply that you do know anything of them. I only want you to carry your memory back as far as yesterday, and to answer me the few simple questions I may ask you.”

”I will answer them to the best of my ability.”

”Well, in the first place, may I ask if you remember seeing a brougham drive up to that house opposite about mid-day yesterday?”

”No, I cannot say that I do,” the old lady replied after a moment's consideration.

”Do you remember seeing a number of men leave the house during the afternoon?”

”No. If they came out I did not notice them.”

”Now, think for one moment, if you please, and tell me what vehicles, if any, you remember seeing stop there.”

”Let me try to remember. There was Judge's baker's cart, about three, the milk about five, and a furniture van about half-past six.”

”That's just what I want to know. And have you any recollection whose furniture van it was?”

”Yes. I remember reading the name as it turned round. G.o.ddard & James, George Street. I wondered if the tenant was going to move.”