He held out a small Mauser pistol which he carried delicately by the butt.
"Where did you find that, Sir Oswald?"
"On the lawn outside. I presume it must have been thrown down by one of the thieves as he took to his heels. I've held it carefully, as I thought you might wish to examine it for fingerprints."
"You think of everything, Sir Oswald," said Battle.
He took the pistol from the other, handling it with equal care, and laid it down on the table beside Jimmy's Colt.
"And now, if you please," said Sir Oswald, "I should like to hear exactly what occurred."
Superintendent Battle gave a brief résumé of the events of the night. Sir Oswald frowned thoughtfully.
"I understand," he said sharply. "After wounding and disabling Mr. Thesiger, the man took to his heels and ran, throwing away the pistol as he did so. What I cannot understand is why no one pursued him."
"It wasn't till we heard Mr. Thesiger's story that we knew there was anyone to pursue," remarked Superintendent Battle dryly.
"You didn't—er—catch sight of him making off as you turned the corner of the terrace?"