Before the furnace door was a portion of the tiled floor railed off, to prevent the cinders from being trodden about, and in there I saw a quantity of ashes. At the side were several large crucibles, one of which, still gripped by the iron tongs or holders, contained some metal which looked like steel. Carelessly I made a tour of the place, passing the corner where had lain the Professor's body. I saw that all traces of blood had been carefully removed from the tiles. No one would suspect that any tragedy had occurred there. Was this Kirk's work? Had the man who had such a contempt for the police--whom he denounced as red-taped blunderers--succeeded in removing all trace of the crime? If so, was not that sufficient proof of his own guilt? Was he not fooling me when, all the time, he was the actual assassin? Every fresh fact as presented in that house that night increased rather than elucidated the mystery. I longed to take the dead girl's lover into my confidence and tell him, there and then, all I knew, just as I have told you; but I hesitated. Had I not given my word of honour to be silent? And, moreover, like a confounded fool, I had allowed Kirk to escape! So now, more than ever, were my lips sealed. I was bound hand and foot. In a few moments the four men passed out of the laboratory, while I, as I had done below, remained behind for a moment. I stood before the furnace peering into the ashes. I saw there something which they had overlooked, or, if they had seen it, could convey nothing to them. Among those grey ashes lay a black horn overcoat button! This I snatched up and transferred to my pocket. Had that bottle of acid been purposely smashed in order to dispel any unpleasant odour arising from the furnace? I longed to throw myself upon my knees and examine those ashes, but, alas! I dare not. So I was compelled to follow my companions, rigid and speechless. CHAPTER TEN. LEONARD LANGTON MAKES A STATEMENT. Search of the upper portion of the premises revealed nothing--nothing, at least, to arouse the undue suspicions of the searchers. My eager glance was everywhere, but I discerned nothing further of an unusual nature. The one great truth had become impressed upon me that the man Kirk, madman or master criminal, had got rid of the evidences of his crime. He must have disposed of the poor girl's body in the same manner as that of her father! I recollected that when seated with him in Bath Road, Bedford Park, he had admitted that he possessed another home. Was it in Foley Street, that squalid house where I had heard a woman's frantic screams? I knew my duty, yet I still hesitated to perform it. My duty as a good citizen was to tell the police, openly and frankly, all that I knew. Yet if I did so, would I be believed? Now, after I had allowed them to search the place, I should, if I spoke, surely be suspected of trying to shield myself.