"Doubtless; especially as the name of the firm who made the shirt is
stamped on the neck of it--Harcot and Harcot, of Bond-street. Oh, I
don't think there will be any difficulty in identifying the man; but
it will be more difficult to discover the name of the woman."
"I don't think so," argued Darrel. "The one crime includes the other.
Find out the motive of the woman in killing the man, and you will
doubtless be led to discover the reason she was killed herself. I
should begin from the clue of the initials."
"Perhaps I will," said Torry thoughtfully; "and failing that clue,
I'll try the other."
"The other! What other?"
"Why," said the detective, looking directly at his companion, "the
clue of the Blue Mummy."
CHAPTER III
MR. TORRY'S THEORY
"The Blue Mummy," repeated Darrel wonderingly; "what do you mean?"
"Why!" said the detective, "I should rather say, the clue of the
_two_ Blue Mummies. Here they are."
Out of his pocket, Torry produced two little clay images in the shape
of mummies, each six inches in length, and coloured a deep blue. The
lifeless faces, the swathings and bandages of the rigid forms, were
perfectly modelled in clay, and on the breast of each was a
representation of the sun rayed round with spiral flames. These
idols--as they doubtless were--appeared to be of great antiquity, and
were, undoubtedly, fine specimens of ceramic art. That the relics of a
dead and gone civilisation should be connected with a modern criminal
case, amazed Frank not a little.
"Egyptian workmanship without doubt," said he, examining one of the
little figures, "although I am not learned in such matters. Where did
you get them?"
"One was found in the pocket of the dead woman, the other on the
ground near the body of the man. Another proof, to my mind, that there
is a connection between the two crimes."
"Curious," murmured Darrel, his eyes fixed on one of the images. "I
wonder what they symbolise. If we could learn we might discover the
motive for this double crime."
"You don't know the meaning of these idols, I suppose, sir?"
Darrel shook his head. "No," said he, "but I am acquainted with an
Egyptologist who might tell us all about them. I'll take them to him
if you like, Mr. Torry."
"Take one, as they are precisely the same," replied the prudent
detective, "and ask your friend what it represents; some god no doubt.
But look here, Mr. Darrel," added Torry in a livelier tone, "I have
answered all your questions, now you must reply to some of mine."
"Willingly. What is it you wish to know?"
"Tell me all that took place, from the time you saw the red-headed man
in Drury-lane until the moment you discovered his dead body."