"I don't think so, though I haven't asked him. He came home drunk last night, shortly after ten o'clock, so I locked him in his room. And, in any case, Anthony, I don't think a cry was uttered, for Uncle Henry must have been stabbed by the assegai, in his sleep."
"The window was open?" questioned Ackworth, thoughtfully. "Why?"
Clarice explained the contention between the two doctors, as regards fresh air, and how the local practitioner, being the last to see the patient, had left the fatal window ajar. "There's nothing to be learned from that," ended Clarice, with a shrug. "I expect this Osip man was haunting the house to kill Uncle Henry, and the open window gave him his chance."
"Humph!" said Anthony, meditatively; "there is one peculiar circumstance. If Osip is guilty, he would have brought a weapon with him. Why, then, should he take an assegai from the wall? Such a clumsy article, too."
"I don't know," answered Clarice, "but I expect we'll learn all that is to be learned, at the inquest. It will take place to-morrow."
For the whole of the morning, Inspector Tick was busy making notes and asking questions. He examined Wentworth about the window; Clarice, again, as to the finding of the gold box; Ferdinand about the presence of Osip at the Savoy Hotel; and then, after a word or two with Chalks on the same subject, went off to see Mrs. Dumps. In the midst of all this excitement, Dr. Jerce arrived. He looked much distressed, as he had heard the truth at the station.
"My dear Miss Baird," he exclaimed, when he learned all that she knew. "How terrible. My oldest and best friend. Dear, dear!--and just when I had arranged that the matter of Osip should be inquired into."
"Have you seen the Scotland Yard authorities?" asked Ackworth, suddenly.
"Yes, last night. I handed over the gold box, and explained. They said they would send down a detective to-day, and, on hearing the news at the station, I sent a wire to expedite his arrival. Then we shall get at the truth."
"It seems to me that we know the truth," said Clarice, quickly. "Osip killed Uncle Henry, and took advantage of the open window to do so."