7:11 a.m. —The Criminal and Weapon of the Crime
Lieutenant Valcour was once more in his shoes. Even in their laceless condition they restored his confidence in the relative fitness of things.
Mrs. Endicott preceded him down two flights of stairs and to the door of her husband’s room, which Lieutenant Valcour opened. He looked inside and saw Cassidy sound asleep, seated on the large mahogany chest by the window. And he did not blame Cassidy so much as he envied him.
“Cassidy.”
Cassidy’s sharp return to consciousness would have reflected credit upon the hero of any Western drama.
“Sir?”
“Put your gun back, Cassidy.”
“Yes, Lieutenant. I must have dropped off for a cat nap.”
“We can discuss that later. I want you to take Mrs. Endicott down to the entrance hall with you and leave her there in charge of O’Brian. She is under arrest.”
“Yes, sir.”
“After that, warn the men on the servants’ entrance and garden door to keep on their toes. If anyone tries to get past them on any pretext whatever they are to stop him. Look up Hansen—he may still be in the backyard—and then both of you come back here. We will then search the house.”