Mrs. Lorrimer Speaks

with unblushing mendacity. "You'll find out, I expect, " said Roberts.

"You'll go through his papers, and all that sort of thing. There will probably be a clue. " "We'll hope so, " said Superintendent Battle gloomily. He shot a keen glance at the other. "I wonder if you'd oblige me, Dr. Roberts, by giving me a personal opinion--as man to man. " "Certainly. " "Which do you fancy yourself of the three?" Dr. Roberts shrugged his shoulders. "That's easy. Off-hand, I'd say Despard. The man's got plenty of nerve; he's used to a dangerous life where you've got to act quickly. He wouldn't mind taking a risk. It doesn't seem to me likely the women are in on this. Take a bit of strength, I should imagine. " "Not so much as you might think. Take a look at this. " Rather like a conjurer, Battle suddenly produced a long thin instrument of gleaming metal with a small round jewelled head. Dr. Roberts leaned forward, took it, and examined it with rich professional appreciation. He tried the point and whistled. "What a tool! What a tool! Absolutely made for murder, this little toy. Go in like butter absolutely like butter. Brought it with him, I suppose. " Battle shook his head. "No. It was Mr. Shaitana's. It lay on the table near the door with a good many other knickknacks. " "So the murderer helped himself. A bit of luck finding a tool like that. "

"Well, that's one way of looking at it, " said Battle slowly.

"Well, of course, it wasn't luck for Shaitana, poor fellow. " "I didn't mean that, Dr. Roberts. I meant that there was another angle of looking at the business. It occurs to me that it was noticing this weapon that put the idea of murder into our criminal's mind. " "You mean it was a sudden inspiration--that the murder wasn't premeditated? He conceived the idea after he got here? Er--anything to suggest that idea to you?" He glanced at him searchingly. "It's just an idea, " said Superintendent Battle stolidly.

"Well, it might be so, of course, " said Dr. Roberts slowly

Superintendent Battle cleared his throat.

"Well, I won't keep you any longer, doctor. Thank you for your help. Perhaps you'll leave your address. " "Certainly. 200 Gloucester Terrace, W.2. Telephone No. Bayswater 23896. "

"Thank you. I may have to call upon you shortly. "

Cards on the Table 397

"Delighted to see you any time. Hope there won't be too much in the papers.