"Throughout my examination I was in every way retarded by the action of the prisoner's wife. On proceeding to search one of the bedrooms she positively refused to give me the keys of a chest of drawers, and I was therefore compelled to force them. Concealed under some papers, which lined one of the drawers, I discovered a small gold padlock, upon which are engraved the initials `R.S.', and to which was attached the small portion of gold chain I now produce. I had charge of the inquiries in the case of Mrs Inglewood, and remember at the time of her decease she was wearing a diamond bracelet which is also produced. When I examined the house at Bedford Place I discovered the case of the bracelet, which bore the name of the jeweller. The manager of the firm in question will be called to prove that the padlock found in the bedroom of the prisoner is the one belonging to Mrs Inglewood's bracelet, and that it had been sold to her a week before her death." Some of the dead woman's jewellery in my room! Incredible! Was it possible that Vera--but, no--again banish the thought! "In the same drawer," added the detective, with a self-satisfied smile at the intense surprise which his statements excited, "was this letter, in a lady's handwriting, signed `Ethel Inglewood': `Come and dine to-morrow evening. I have the money ready, and rely on you to keep my secret.' The address embossed on the paper is `67, Bedford Place,' and the date is that of the day previous to the murder." "Do you prove anything else?" inquired Mr Paget, expectantly. "No," replied the inspector, "except that from inquiries I made I find that very shortly after the inquest on Mrs Inglewood the prisoner left the country suddenly, and the next murder--the one in Angel Court--was perpetrated on the day of his return." As Mr Paget resumed his seat, my counsel, Mr Roland, rose. Turning to the witness with a suave countenance, he mildly asked: "How do you fix the day of the prisoner's return?" "By the books of the club to which the accused belonged--the Junior Garrick." "You say you found the seals in the library. Could access be easily gained to that room?" "No; prisoner's wife had the key." "And she refused you the keys of the chest of drawers?" "Yes, giving as her reason that it contained papers of a strictly private nature." "Did she express surprise when you found the seals?" "When I showed them to her she fainted." "You said, just now, that the little padlock was `concealed.' Are you sure it had not accidentally fallen behind the paper?" "No; I should think not." "Did you suspect the prisoner previous to his arrest?" "I did. After the inquest on Mrs Inglewood, observation was kept upon him for some time, but he eluded us by going abroad." "And now you endeavour to fix the crime upon him without any direct evidence. I have nothing more to ask you." My hopes sank as Mr Roland resumed his seat, with a poor affectation of indifference.