“That’s where the body was found,” said the sergeant, pointing half-left to the foot of the broad staircase, which ascended from the hall to a landing and then turned upward again to the first floor; “lying on the floor by the stairs there, it was.” “And isn’t it now?” asked Humblethorne sharply. “What’s that under the sheet?” “Them’s only the marks; the body’s in the smoking-room, first room on the left there.” “Who moved it?” exclaimed Humblethorne with much severity. “Did you?” “Yes, sir; at least——” Birts grew rather red under Humblethorne’s eye, and went on less confidently: “I allowed it to be moved after the doctor had seen it and I’d had a careful look.” “You allowed it to be moved! What were you about?” “Well, sir; I’d seen all there was to see, and of course I had no idea you were coming.” “You’d seen all there was to see!” There was as much contempt in the little man’s voice as he was capable of by nature. “Good Lord, man, how on earth could you? You haven’t had any special training. Why in the name of all that’s holy didn’t you wait? If I hadn’t come somebody else would probably have been sent from London as soon as they’d heard of it there.” “I’m extremely sorry, sir; I see I was hasty. But Mr. Castle, him as is secretary to Sir Roger, asked me when I’d finished looking if it couldn’t be moved away from the staircase; he said it was dreadful to have it lying there all day, where every one had to pass to go upstairs. Of course, it was broad daylight by then. Naturally,” ended Birts, red and apologetic, “I shouldn’t have moved it if he hadn’t asked me to.” “Well,” said Humblethorne, “it’s no use crying over spilt milk. It’s done now. But never, never move anything—in a case of this kind everything may depend on it. I should have thought you’d have known as much, even in the country. Who found the body?” he asked abruptly. “Mr. Castle did, about half-past one this morning. We can tell you exactly how it lay, sir,” added Birts eagerly, “and of course we took particular care not to touch the stains or anything. Come and look, sir.” “In a minute. Let me just get the geography of this place clear; on the left, first, smoking-room, then drawing-room, is that it?” “Yes, sir.” “What’s this room on our right—dining-room?” He stepped forward, opened the door and looked in and satisfied himself that it was so. “And opposite the main door, ah, the billiard-room. Where does this passage lead to?” pointing to one that led off to the right separating the dining-room from the billiard-room. “That goes through to the kitchen and leads off round to the left of Sir Roger’s study and also Mr. Castle’s room.” “And the body was found by Mr. Castle about 1.30 this morning lying in this hall to which five doors and a passage have access. Any explanation?” “No, sir, absolutely none. Nobody that I’ve seen so far heard anything or saw anything at all. But of course I haven’t had time yet for a proper inquiry.”