“I went to bed and had dropped off to sleep when Mr. Castle burst into my room—terribly agitated, he was, and it was some time before I could understand just what had happened. It must have been about half-past one he came to me.” “Are you sure of the time?” asked Humblethorne slowly. “I wouldn’t like to be positive; it may have been a bit sooner or a bit later. I didn’t think to look at my watch until afterwards; I just dressed as quickly as I could and came along.” “And then?” “I stayed in the hall with Sir Roger until Mr. Castle came back after telling Miss Evelyn. He sat here a bit with his head on his hand looking worn out; then he began to walk up and down, and I ventured to remind him it would be as well to telephone for Dr. Shipstone, not that he could do anything—and for you, Birts. But he couldn’t get through, and at last I sent Alfred off.” That really ended the story of the night. In response to further questions, Fairlie identified the cigarette box as the one which usually stood in the hall on a small table close to the drawing-room door and corroborated Castle’s statement that the stick was the one with which Sir Roger had been walking. The evidence of the other servants threw no fresh light whatever upon the death; they had all gone to bed at their ordinary times and had heard and seen nothing unusual at all. Fairlie was able to substantiate the simple statement of Alfred, the only other man in the house, by stating that he had heard him snoring horribly when he himself went to bed. It was getting on for two o’clock by this time, and Humblethorne expressed his intention of returning to the Rose and Crown for luncheon. Fairlie assured him that Lady Penterton would wish him to be offered the hospitality of the house; but Humblethorne declared that a walk would do him good. He really wanted to be alone to arrange in his mind the facts which had been presented to him. Birts accompanied him in silence a little way down the drive. “It’s beyond me,” said that worthy officer after they had gone a few yards. “Man murdered in his own hall and not a single person know anything about it.” “We have not yet completed the preliminary inquiry,” responded Humblethorne, “and may still find some one who does. But assuming, what is most likely, that the remaining members of the household——” “Why, there’s only her ladyship, Miss Celia, and Miss Temple left!” exclaimed Birts in surprise.