“Want me to sit in the chair whilst you take a blood test?” asked Raymond good-humouredly. “What’s the idea?”

“ M. Raymond, this chair was pulled out⁠—so⁠—last night when Mr. Ackroyd was found killed. Someone moved it back again into place. Did you do so?”

The secretary’s reply came without a second’s hesitation. “No, indeed I didn’t. I don’t even remember that it was in that position, but it must have been if you say so. Anyway, somebody else must have moved it back to its proper place. Have they destroyed a clue in doing so? Too bad!”

“It is of no consequence,” said the detective. “Of no consequence whatever. What I really want to ask you is this, M. Raymond: Did any stranger come to see Mr. Ackroyd during this past week?”