"'Some might call it so. Gentlemen living in chambers do all sorts of things.' "'So I believe,' said our reporter, dryly. "'And it ain't for the likes of us to question 'em. We've got our living to make, and if it pays us to be mum, mum we must be.' "'I understand that. From what I can gather, Mrs. Middlemore, M. Felix had no family?' "'Not that I know of, sir.' "'As to his visitors, now, were they mostly ladies or gentlemen?' "'Mostly ladies, sir.' "'Have any of them been here to see his body?' "'Not one, sir.' "'That is strange. He might almost as well have died on a desert island.' "'Yes, sir. That's the reason why we've been all at sea what to do. There was nobody to give directions.' "'It is certainly a perplexing situation, unprecedented in my experience. Should you happen to meet any of the persons who were in the habit of visiting him, would you be able to identify them?' "'I don't think I should, sir.' "'Supposing that he came by his death in a violent way--I don't say it is so, because the medical evidence does not favor that conclusion--but supposing that this evidence was misleading, and was proved to be so, there is nobody to take up the matter authoritatively, to take measures, I mean, to bring the guilty party to justice?' "'Nobody, sir.' "'Only the police?' "'Yes, sir, only the police?' "'And all they have succeeded in doing is to make things uncomfortable for you?' "'Yes, sir,' sighed Mrs. Middlemore, 'that's all they've done. I said to Mr. Nightingale, "A nice friend you've been," I said. I couldn't 'elp saying it after all I've gone through.' "'Is it Constable Nightingale you are speaking of?' "'Yes, it is.' "'Is he an old friend of yours?' "'He was on the beat 'ere before Mr. Wigg.' "'Ah; and that is how you got to know him?' "'Yes.' "'He knew M. Felix, probably?' "'Mr. Felix made a point of being always friendly with the policemen on the beat.' "'Sensible man. Tipped them, I daresay?' "'They'd best answer that theirselves. He never give _me_ nothing to give 'em.' "'What did Constable Nightingale say when you made that remark to him?' "'Nothing,' replied Mrs. Middlemore, with sudden reserve. "'Surely he must have made some remark, to the effect that he _was_ your friend, or words bearing the same meaning?' "'He didn't say nothing.' "Our reporter gave up the point; it was his cue to keep Mrs. Middlemore in a good humor. "'I'll have one more look in the bedroom,' he said. "At first his scrutiny was not rewarded by any discovery, but, passing his hand over the pillows on the bed, he felt something hard beneath them, and upon lifting them up he saw a six-chambered revolver, loaded in every barrel. "'Lord save us!' cried Mrs. Middlemore, starting back. "'Did you not know it was here?' "'No, sir, this is the first time I ever saw it. I never knew he kep' one.' "'Do the police know?' "'They didn't mention it, sir.'