my dear mother
who first read and liked and
criticised this yarn
Chapter I
The door opened noiselessly, and four men came in. They were in plain clothes, and one carried a large box.
“Evening,” said the first. “I am Chief Inspector Pointer from New Scotland Yard. These are detectives Watts, Miller and Lester. What's wrong?”
“I 'phoned,” a tall young man answered crisply. “I am the manager of the hotel. This is Mr. Beale, an American gentleman to whom this room was let a couple of hours ago. It really belongs to a young fellow who is away for the week-end, but as there was no other room available we assigned it to this gentleman for the one night. Mr. Beale has just told me that there is something wrong about the wardrobe you see there. Kindly investigate that large knot-hole in the back for yourself, Inspector.”
The Chief Inspector peered at the hole indicated, ran a finger lightly around it, and inserted it as gently as a mother feeling her baby's tooth. His face showed no change of expression, but, stepping back, he looked the piece of furniture over with the meticulous care of a would-be purchaser hoping to find a flaw, before he got on a chair and examined the top.
“Miller, take your coat off and be doing something outside. See that no one lingers, and notice if any of the doors along the corridor are open.”
“Yes, sir.” The man vanished.