“HE MOUNTED THE LADDER AND LOOKED IN AT THE WINDOW.”
“That’s all right,” the inspector said. “And you’re sure the door was locked?”
“Yes, sir, fast.”
“Key in the lock?”
“No, sir. I haven’t seen any key.”
“Window shut, just as it is now?”
“Yes, sir; nothing’s been touched.”
The inspector walked to the window and opened it. It was a wooden-framed casement window, fastened by the usual turning catch at the side, with a heavy bow handle. He just glanced out and then swung the window carelessly to on its hinges. The catch, however, worked so freely that the handle dropped and the catch banged against the window frame as he turned away. Hewitt saw this, and closed the casement properly, after a glance at the sill.
The inspector made a rapid examination of the clothing on the body, and then said, “It’s a singular thing about the key. The door was locked fast, but there’s no key to be seen inside the room. Seems it must have been locked from the outside.”