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Updated: May 31, 2025
Five or six minutes passed in this fashion, Leroux expecting each to bring a sudden outcry. He was disappointed. The searchers returned, Exel noticeably holding himself aloof and Cumberly very stern. Exel, a cigar between his teeth, walked to the writing-table, carefully circling around the dreadful obstacle which lay in his path, to help himself to a match.
He was already upon delightfully friendly terms with the frigid Exel and the aristocratic Sir Brian Malpas. Few natures were proof against the geniality of the brilliant Frenchman. Conversation drifted, derelict, from one topic to another, now seized by this current of thought, now by that; and M. Gaston Max made no perceptible attempt to steer it in any given direction.
"Since you, Exel, if not actually in the building, must certainly have been within sight of the street entrance at the moment of the crime, and since Leroux and I descended the stair and met you on the landing, it is reasonable to suppose that the assassin can only be in one place: HERE!" "HERE!" cried Exel and Leroux, together. "Did you see anyone leave the lower hall as you entered?"
Leroux sank upon the chesterfield, rubbing his fingers up and down his palms with a curious nervous movement and glancing at the dead woman, and at Exel, alternately, in a mechanical, regular fashion, pathetic to behold. Mr. Exel, tapping his boot with the head of his inverted cane, was staring fixedly at the doctor.
Exel, who had walked across to the table, and with a horror-stricken face was gingerly examining the victim, now exclaimed: "Why! Leroux! she is she is... UNDRESSED!" Leroux clutched at his dishevelled hair with both hands. "My dear Exel!" he cried "my dear, good man! Why do you use that tone? You say 'she is undressed! as though I were responsible for the poor soul's condition!"
"Well," added Cumberly, "he is a famous novelist, and his flat, unfortunately, has been made the scene of a crime. This is Detective-Inspector Dunbar, who has come to solve our difficulties, Leroux." He turned to where Exel stood upon the hearth-rug toying with his monocle. "Mr. John Exel, M. P." "Glad to know you, gentlemen," said Dunbar.
"Let me think," mused Exel, and he took out a bunch of keys and dangled them, reflectively, before his eyes. "No! I was fumbling for the right key when I heard the voices above me." "But were you facing your door?"
"As you wish," said the doctor, who thus, in his masterful way, acted the host; "and I won't smoke. But do you light up." "Later," muttered Exel; "later. Let us search, first." Leroux stood up; Cumberly forced him back. "Stay where you are, Leroux; it is elementary strategy to operate from a fixed base. This study shall be the base. Ready, Exel?" Exel nodded, and the search commenced.
We came in and I turned up the light in the lobby. Then Leroux, entering the study, turned up the light there, too. I entered next, followed by Mr. Exel and we saw the body lying where you see it now." "Who saw it first?" "Mr. Leroux; he drew my attention to it, saying that he had left her lying on the chesterfield and NOT upon the floor." "You examined her?" "I did. She was dead, but still warm.
Inspector Dunbar held up his hand. "I won't ask you to repeat what he said, doctor; Mr. Leroux, presently, can give me his own words." "We had descended to this floor, then," resumed Cumberly, "when Mr. Exel, entering below, called up to us, asking if anything was the matter. Leroux replied, 'Matter, Exel! There's a devil of a business! For mercy's sake, come up!" "Well?" "Mr.
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