"Yes," answered Prelice quickly; "he travelled with me to a little known part of the world called Easter Island. Lucky that he did so, and that I was with him. Between us we may be able to solve the mystery of this cataleptic business." "You know that it is catalepsy, induced by some odour?" "Of course I do. I have seen a man in that state before." And Prelice pointed to the rigid form of Shepworth. "Where?" asked Bruge, looking at him with keen eyes, somewhat puzzled. "On Easter Island." The Inspector would have asked further questions when the elder doctor rose from examining Agstone's body, and stretched himself. "Well, Thornton?" he asked curtly. "The man is dead right enough!" said Thornton, with a shrug; "that stab under the left shoulder-blade reached the heart at one blow. I don't see the weapon with which it was committed--the crime I mean." "We haven't searched the flat yet," rejoined Bruge brusquely; "and if you remember, Thornton, the weapon which killed Sir Oliver Lanwin was not found either." "What has this case to do with Sir Oliver Lanwin's death?" Bruge looked surprised. "Don't you read the papers, doctor? There is a murder case on at the New Bailey which resembles this in every particular. Sir Oliver Lanwin was stabbed seated at his desk, and under the left shoulder-blade. His niece, who is accused, says that she is innocent, and was in a cataleptic state, just as this Counsel of hers is. What we see here," mused Bruge, "will go a long way towards helping her to prove her innocence. Mr. Shepworth need not have got rid of Agstone in this way." "He didn't," cried Prelice sharply; "I'll stake my existence that Mr. Shepworth is perfectly innocent." "My lord, we know that the prosecution hoped to convict Miss Chent on Agstone's evidence. It was necessary that the defence should keep him out of the way. And here is the man, very forcibly removed, and in the rooms of the young gentleman who is not only helping to defend Miss Chent, but who is her affianced husband. It looks strange." Prelice pointed to Shepworth, who now showed signs of reviving. "I say to you, as I said to those people who burst into the flat when the alarm was given, that Shepworth is incapable of lifting a hand." "Ah! but we don't know how long he has been incapable," said Bruge cunningly. "When was Agstone murdered, doctor?" Thornton, who was twisting a cigarette, answered promptly enough. "I should say, judging from the condition of the temperature of the body, some time between ten and eleven o'clock." "And can you tell," asked the Inspector, turning to the other doctor, "how long Mr. Shepworth has been insensible?" "No!" said the young physician promptly; "but he'll tell us himself soon. He is coming round."