The faces of H.M. and of Masters were so grave that instinctively the others walked softly, almost on tiptoe.
"We want somebody who was here when it happened," said H.M. "Now. Shut the door. This is how the furniture was arranged, hey?"
"Y-yes," said Ann.
"Was the lampshade like it is now? If not, show us."
After a hesitation, Ann walked forward and lowered the shade an inch or two. It threw bright light round the chair, and almost as far as the little table, but left the rest of the room in semi-darkness.
"Now. The other chairs."
While Ann gave directions, Courtney rolled an easy chair and a light chair to one side of Vicky 's place — a little ahead of it, and facing sideways — to represent the positions of Arthur and Hubert Fane on one side. He rolled another easy chair and another light chair — to represent the positions of Ann Browning and Frank Sharpless — facing these on the opposite side, completing the semi-circle.
"So," grunted H.M., his fists on his hips. His eye measured distances. You could not tell what he was thinking. "That's just exactly the position? You're sure?"
"Yes."
"Good. Masters, put the rubber dagger on the table."