“As he spoke we came round the curve of the avenue, and saw in the fading light that every blind in the house had been drawn down. As we dashed up to the door, my friend’s face convulsed with grief, a gentleman in black emerged from it.

“ ‘When did it happen, doctor?’ asked Trevor.

“ ‘Almost immediately after you left.’

“ ‘Did he recover consciousness?’

“ ‘For an instant before the end.’

“ ‘Any message for me?’

“ ‘Only that the papers were in the back drawer of the Japanese cabinet.’