"You want—"
"Come forward!" commanded the magistrate sharply, and when Meinert stood before him and beside Hilda and had been sworn, he said, "Now, tell your story."
"The man—Feuerstein," began Meinert, "came into my place about half-past one yesterday. He looked a little wild—as if he'd been drinking or was in trouble. He went back into the sitting-room and I sent in to him and—"
"Did you go in?"
"No, your Honor."
"When did you see him again?"
"Not till the police came."
"Stand down. I want evidence, not gossip. Captain Hanlon, who found the body? Do you know?"
"Your Honor, I understood that Mr. Meinert found it."
The magistrate frowned at him. Then he said, raising his voice, "Does ANY ONE know who found the body?"