The Inspector nodded. “Thank you very much, Mr. Peale. That’s exactly what I wanted to know.... Incidentally, let me apologize for having kept you people crowded back here in this fashion. We were quite busy and had no time to make other arrangements. You and the rest of the cast are at liberty to go backstage now. Of course, make no effort to leave the theatre until you are notified.” “I understand completely, Inspector. Happy to have been able to help.” Peale bowed and retreated to the rear of the theatre. The Inspector leaned against the nearest seat, absorbed in thought. Ellery, at his side, was absently polishing the lenses of his pince-nez. Father motioned significantly to son. “Well, Ellery?” Queen asked in a low voice. “Elementary, my dear Watson,” murmured Ellery. “Our respected victim was last seen alive at 9:25, and he was found dead at approximately 9:55. Problem: What happened between times? Sounds ludicrously simple.” “You don’t say?” muttered Queen. “Piggott!” “Yes, sir.” “Is that the usherette? Let’s get some action.” Piggott released the arm of the young woman standing at his side. She was a pert and painted lady with even white teeth and a ghastly smile. She minced forward and regarded the Inspector brazenly. “Are you the regular usherette on this aisle, Miss—?” asked the Inspector briskly. “O’Connell, Madge O’Connell. Yes, I am!” The Inspector took her arm gently. “I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to be as brave as you are impertinent, my dear,” he said. “Step over here for a moment.” The girl’s face was deathly white as they paused at the LL row. “Pardon me a moment, Doc. Mind if we interrupt your work?” Dr. Prouty looked up with an abstracted scowl. “No, go right ahead, Inspector. I’m nearly through.” He stood up and moved aside, biting the cigar between his teeth. Queen watched the girl’s face as she stooped over the dead man’s body. She drew her breath in sharply. “Do you remember ushering this man to his seat to-night, Miss O’Connell?” The girl hesitated. “Seems like I do. But I was very busy to-night, as usual, and I must have ushered two hundred people all told. So I couldn’t say positively.” “Do you recall whether these seats which are empty now”—he indicated the seven vacant chairs—“were unoccupied all during the first and second acts?” “Well.... I do seem to remember noticing them that way as I walked up and down the aisle.... No, sir. I don’t think anybody sat in those seats all night.” “Did anyone walk up or down this aisle during the second act, Miss O’Connell? Think hard, now; it’s important that you answer correctly.” The girl hesitated once more, flashing bold eyes at the impassive face of the Inspector. “No—I didn’t see anybody walk up or down the aisle.” She quickly added, “I couldn’t tell you much. I don’t know a thing about this business. I’m a hard-working girl, and I—”