were wanted downstairs."

"Well," exclaimed the inspector, "now, I want to ask all of you a very simple question, and wish to obtain an honest and truthful reply. Was any door or window left unfastened when you went to bed?"

"No, sir," the cook replied promptly. "I always go round myself, and see that everything is fastened."

"The front door, for example?"

"I bolted it at Miss Ethelwynn's orders."

"At what time?"

"One o'clock. She told me to wait up till then, and if mistress did not return I was to lock up and go to bed."

"Then the tragedy must have been enacted about half an hour later?"

"I think so, sir."

"You haven't examined the doors and windows to see if any have been forced?"

"As far as I can see, they are just as I left them when I went to bed, sir."

"That's strange--very strange," remarked the inspector, turning to us. "We must make an examination and satisfy ourselves."

The point was one that was most important in the conduct of the inquiry. If all doors and windows were still locked, then the assassin was one of that strange household.

Led by the cook, the officers began a round of the lower premises. One of the detectives borrowed the constable's bull's-eye and, accompanied by a second officer, went outside to make an examination of the window sashes, while we remained inside assisting them in their search for any marks.

Ethelwynn had been called aside by one of the detectives, and was answering some questions addressed to her, therefore for an instant, I found myself alone. It was the moment I had been waiting for, to secretly examine the clue I had obtained. I was near the door of the morning room, and for a second slipped inside and switched on the electric light. Then I took from my vest pocket the tiny little object I had found and carefully examined it. My heart stood still. My eyes riveted themselves upon it. The mystery was solved. I alone knew the 

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