Recalling Crate's remark that the deceased had probably been poisoned, Fanks was rendered angry and suspicious by this action; but as it was mere folly to quarrel with so clever a woman as Mrs. Boazoph he made light of the circumstance, and observed casually that no doubt the glasses had been washed and put away. "Yes, sir," assented the landlady, "they were washed and put away by my own hands." "I have always known you to be an extremely tidy woman," said Fanks, ironically. "Two glasses, you say? Then there were two gentlemen in this room between six and seven?" "There were two men in this room between six and seven," replied Mrs. Boazoph, making the correction with emphasis. "Two men, you say? And they came to have a chat--by appointment?" "I think so, sir. The white man came at six, and the black man arrived an hour later." "Ho! ho!" said Fanks, rather taken by surprise; "so one of the men was a negro. I see. And who lies dead upstairs?" "The white man, sir." "And the negro assassin; what of him?" "We have no proof that the negro committed the crime, Mr. Fanks," protested Mrs. Boazoph, forgetting her caution for the moment. "There are no marks of violence on the body." "Of course not," said Fanks, with grim humour. "No doubt the white man died a convenient and natural death, while the negro, for no reason, fled in alarm. I am obliged to you for the suggestion, Mrs. Boazoph. Probably it is as you say." Not sufficiently clever to see the irony of this remark, Crate looked surprised. But the woman was clearer sighted; and, seeing that she had over-reached herself by saying too much, she relapsed into silence. The detective, feeling that he had scored, smiled grimly, and went on with his examination of the room. "The body was on the sofa, you say?" he said after a pause. "Yes; it was tumbled in a heap against the wall." "And the glasses were on the table?" "On the table and on the tray." "Were there any signs of a struggle?" "Not that I saw, Mr. Fanks." "Can you describe the appearance of the white man; no, stop, I'll see his body when I go upstairs. What of the black man?" "He was a tall, burly, fat creature, sir, just like any other negro." "How was he dressed?" "In a black opera hat, dark trousers, brown boots, and a long green overcoat with brass buttons," said Mrs. Boazoph, concisely. "Rather a noticeable dress," said Fanks, carelessly; "had you ever seen the negro before?" "No, sir." "Nor the white man?" "I never saw white or black man in my life till this evening." By this time the patience of Mrs. Boazoph was nearly worn out, and her self-control was gradually giving way. She evidently felt that she could hold out no longer, for, after replying to the last question, she left the room suddenly. But that Fanks interfered Crate would have stopped her. "Let her go," said the former, "we can see her later on. In the meantime," he continued, pointing to the table, "what is all this?"