Christopher Quarles: College Professor and Master Detective. Brebner Percy James
his real opinion, or whether they were merely careless words spoken while his mind was busy in an altogether different direction. I hardly saw where our progression came in. I examined the carpet. If anyone had entered in a hurry to kidnap Mrs. Fitzroy he would not have spent much time in wiping his boots. I found a little soil on the hearthrug and by the writing-table. I pointed it out to the professor, who was still looking at the cigarette which lay in the palm of his hand.
"Yes, very interesting," said Quarles. "I expect the man came by way of the garden and brought a little earth from that pathway with him. What do you make of this cigarette?"
"A cheap kind. Perhaps the lady smokes."
"We'll ask the servant. By the way, Baker, do you happen to know Mrs. Fitzroy?"
"I've seen a lady come out of this house on one or two occasions," answered the constable. "I described her to the servant, and have no doubt it was Mrs. Fitzroy. She is rather good-looking, fifty or thereabouts, but takes some pains to appear younger, I fancy."
"You are observant," Quarles remarked. "Shall we have the servant in, Wigan?"
Emma Lewin told us that she had been with Mrs. Fitzroy for over three years. Last night she had gone out as usual about six o'clock. She had left by the back door and had taken the key with her. She always did so. She returned just before ten, and had gone straight upstairs to take off her hat and jacket. She always did this before going in to see whether her mistress required anything.
"Was the dining-room door shut when you went upstairs?" I asked.
"Yes."
"You did not go by the garden gate last night?"
"No. I never go that way. The gate is never used."
"Did Mrs. Fitzroy have many visitors?"
"None to speak of. Not half a dozen people have called upon her since I have been here. I believe she had no relations. Once or twice a week she would be out all day, and occasionally she has been away for a night or two."
"Where has she gone on these occasions?" I asked.
"I do not know."
"And her correspondence – was it large?"
"She received very few letters," the servant answered; "whether she wrote many, I cannot say. I certainly didn't post them."
"Did she use the telephone much?"
"She gave orders to the tradesmen sometimes, and I have heard the bell ringing occasionally. You see, the kitchen is a basement one, and the bell might often ring without my hearing it."
"Did your mistress smoke?" Quarles asked suddenly.
"No, sir."
"How do you know she didn't?"
"I have heard her say she didn't agree with women smoking. Besides, when doing the rooms I should have found cigarette-ends."
"That seems conclusive," said Quarles. "Yesterday was Wednesday, your night out?"
"Yes, sir."
"Is Wednesday always your night out?"
"It is."
"From six to ten?"
"Yes; it is a standing arrangement; nothing ever interferes with it."
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