"I rapped on the door precisely at seven, and went in a minute or two later--say 7:01 or 7:02." "How do you know the time so exactly?" "My lord the Count," said Sir Pierre with some stiffness, "insisted upon exact punctuality. I have formed the habit of referring to my watch regularly." "I see. Very good. Now, what did you do then?" Sir Pierre described his actions briefly. "The door to his suite was not locked, then?" Lord Darcy asked. "No, sir." "You did not expect it to be locked?" "No, sir. It has not been for seventeen years." Lord Darcy raised one eyebrow in a polite query. "Never?" "Not at seven o'clock, your lordship. My lord the Count always rose promptly at six and unlocked the door before seven." "He did lock it at night, then?" "Yes, sir." Lord Darcy looked thoughtful and made a note, but he said nothing more on that subject. "When you left, you locked the door?" "That is correct, your lordship." "And it has remained locked ever since?" Sir Pierce hesitated and glanced at Father Bright. The priest said: "At 8:15, Sir Pierre and I went in. I wished to view the body. We touched nothing. We left at 8:20." * * * * * Master Sean O Lochlainn looked agitated. "Er ... excuse me, Reverend Sir. You didn't give him Holy Unction, I hope?" "No," said Father Bright. "I thought it would be better to delay that until after the authorities has seen the ... er ... scene of the crime. I wouldn't want to make the gathering of evidence any more difficult than necessary." "Quite right," murmured Lord Darcy. "No blessings, I trust, Reverend Sir?" Master Sean persisted. "No exorcisms or--" "Nothing," Father Bright interrupted somewhat testily. "I believe I crossed myself when I saw the body, but nothing more." "Crossed _yourself_, sir. Nothing else?" "No." "Well, that's all right, then. Sorry to be so persistent, Reverend Sir, but any miasma of evil that may be left around is a very important clue, and it shouldn't be dispersed until it's been checked, you see." "_Evil?_" My lady the Countess looked shocked. "Sorry, my lady, but--" Master Sean began contritely. But Father Bright interrupted by speaking to the Countess. "Don't distress yourself, my daughter; these men are only doing their duty." "Of course. I understand. It's just that it's so--" She shuddered delicately. Lord Darcy cast Master Sean a warning look, then asked politely, "Has my lady seen the deceased?" "No," she said. "I will, however, if you wish." "We'll see," said Lord Darcy. "Perhaps it won't be necessary. May we go up to the suite now?" "Certainly," the Countess said. "Sir Pierre, if you will?" "Yes, my lady." As Sir Pierre unlocked the emblazoned door, Lord Darcy said: "Who else sleeps on this floor?" "No one else, your lordship," Sir Pierre said. "The entire floor is ... was ... reserved for my lord the Count." "Is there any way up besides that elevator?"