“I am at a loss to understand you, Battle. You have some idea of your own which I have not yet⁠—er⁠—grasped. You say the man did not go across the lawn, and now you hint⁠—What exactly do you hint? That the man did not go down the path? Then in your opinion⁠—er⁠—where did he go?”

For answer, Superintendent Battle jerked an eloquent thumb upwards.

“Eh?” said George.

The Superintendent jerked harder than ever. George raised his head and looked at the ceiling.

“Up there,” said Battle. “Up the ivy again.”

“Nonsense, Superintendent. What you are suggesting is impossible.”

“Not at all impossible, sir. He’d done it once. He could do it twice.”