Here Thorndyke paused, and Marchmont, who had been gazing at him with growing amazement, said nervously:

“Er⁠—yes. Very interesting. These observations of yours⁠—er⁠—are⁠—”

“Are all the observations that I made at New Inn.”

The two lawyers looked at one another and Stephen Blackmore stared fixedly at a spot on the hearthrug. Then Mr. Winwood’s face contorted itself into a sour, lopsided smile.

“You might have observed a good many other things, sir,” said he, “if you had looked. If you had examined the doors, you would have noted that they had hinges and were covered with paint; and, if you had looked up the chimney you might have noted that it was black inside.”