“What you have stated, sir, may have occurred,” rasped Date in a military voice, “but we cannot prove the truth of your assumption, since the evidence at our disposal is merely circumstantial.”
“I never suggested that it was anything else,” snapped the Coroner. “You waste time in traversing my statements. Say what you have to say, Mr. Inspector, and produce your witnesses—if you have any.”
“There are no witnesses who can swear to the identity of the murderer,” said Inspector Date coldly, and determined not to be ruffled by the apparent antagonism of the Coroner. “The criminal has vanished, and no one can guess his name or occupation, or even the reason which led him to slay the deceased.”
Coroner: “The reason is plain. He wanted the mummy.”
Inspector: “Why should he want the mummy?”
Coroner: “That is what we wish to find out.”
Inspector: “Exactly, sir. We wish to learn the reason why the murderer strangled the deceased.”
Coroner: “We know that reason. What we wish to know is why the murderer stole the mummy. And I would point out to you, Mr. Inspector, that, as yet, we do not even know the sex of the assassin. It might be a woman who murdered the deceased.”
Professor Braddock, who was seated near the door of the coffee-room, being even more irascible than usual, rose to contradict.