Lord Caterham turned to him as though relieved at being asked a direct question.

“In the council chamber⁠—just where it was found⁠—I wouldn’t have it touched. I believed⁠—er⁠—that that was the correct thing to do.”

“Quite right, my lord,” said the inspector approvingly.

He produced a notebook and pencil.

“And who discovered the body? Did you?”

“Good Lord, no,” said Lord Caterham. “You don’t think I usually get up at this unearthly hour in the morning, do you? No, a housemaid found it. She screamed a good deal, I believe. I didn’t hear her myself. Then they came to me about it, and of course I got up and came down⁠—and there it was, you know.”

“You recognized the body as that of one of your guests?”

“That’s right, inspector.”