“I see Mr. Breese running out into the street. I hear the butler telling them upstairs that Mrs. Breese was murdered.” “Good!” exclaimed the Russian. “Which tells us why our friend, the Count, made his foolish confession.” He picked himself up from the floor, just as the Breese children ran in. “Come in, all of you!” he cried. “We need go no further with this. The children run down. They summon a policeman. Someone telephones Rice at the Ministry. So far, we have traced the movements of each known individual. Mr. Thomas leaves in a huff. The telephone rings. Mrs. Breese answers. Mr. Breese comes in and finds his wife dead. The essential moment that still remains to be explained away is the time between Rice’s call and the entrance of Mr. Breese. What happened in that moment? What did Mrs. Breese do? How did she meet her death? Look around this room and tell me, Mr. Smith.” “I don’t know,” said Smith curtly. “And I don’t see that this is getting us anywhere.” “You do not see it?” persisted the Russian. “Miraculous! But then, for a long time I did not see it myself.” He turned abruptly. “The reason I am reconstructing this crime is to check back upon the known facts. For example, we know now that Mr. Thomas had been quarrelling with Mrs. Breese. We know now that Mr. Breese discovered the body. Now, Mr. Rice?” “Yes, sir,” said the promoter. “Anything further I can do?” “I want you to refresh your memory and tell us if there’s anything you have omitted in your telephone conversation with Mrs. Breese.” The promoter reflected a moment and then shook his head vigorously. “No, I guess not. I guess I covered the ground pretty thoroughly.” “You have forgotten nothing?” “Not a thing,” said Rice emphatically. “Very well,” said the Russian quietly, moving to the library. “Come here, Mr. Jenkins.” CHAPTER XXV THE CALL The bespectacled young man approached Perutkin rather timidly. “Do you know Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Rice?” “Afraid I don’t,” said the promoter. “I just noticed him in the library.” “Mr. Jenkins,” said the Russian, “is employed at the American Ministry.” He swung at Rice sharply. “Are you sure you have omitted nothing in your conversation?” “Positive,” said Rice. “Of course, I may have said something trivial--unessential----” “Every detail is important,” insisted the Russian. “I have done an amount of inquiry in this case, which is stupendous. Most of the information I have gathered is valueless. For example, I wanted to know exactly what it was you said to Mrs. Breese over the telephone that night, and for that reason I questioned Mr. Jenkins.” He turned to the timid young man. “You were at the American Ministry when Mr. Rice telephoned, were you not?” “Yes, sir, I was.” “And you overheard the conversation?” “I overheard Mr. Rice’s end of it,” the young man corrected precisely. “And does it check with his version today?” “No, sir.” “What’s that?” cried Rice.