none. I just glanced in, saw the room was empty, and hurried across the lawn and down to the studio where Lawrence joined me almost at once.”
“You say the room was empty, Mrs. Protheroe?”
“Yes, my husband was not there.”
“Extraordinary.”
“You mean, ma’am, that you didn’t see him?” said the inspector.
“No, I didn’t see him.”
Inspector Slack whispered to the Chief Constable, who nodded.
“Do you mind, Mrs. Protheroe, just showing us exactly what you did?”
“Not at all.”
She rose, Inspector Slack pushed open the window for her, and she stepped out on the terrace and round the house to the left.
Inspector Slack beckoned me imperiously to go and sit at the writing-table.
Somehow I didn’t much like doing it. It gave me an uncomfortable feeling. But, of course, I complied.
Presently I heard footsteps outside, they paused for a minute, then retreated. Inspector Slack indicated to me that I could return to the other side of the room. Mrs. Protheroe reentered through the window.
“Is that exactly how it was?” asked Colonel Melchett.
“I think exactly.”