“That is correct.”
“And to your knowledge, no one entered or left the house in the meantime?”
“My wife was here, of course. I don’t recall anyone else, unless one of the Cubs dropped in.”
“No woman?”
“Not so far as I know.” Mr. Hatfield was amazed by the question. He could tell that Captain Eggleston was leading up to a climax, but what it was he could not guess.
The police officer withdrew an ornamental button from his pocket. Carelessly, he dropped it on the table.
Dan noticed that the button was an unusual one of black jet, cut in a diamond shape.
“Ever see that before?” Captain Eggleston asked.
“I don’t think so,” Mr. Hatfield replied, examining the button minutely. “Why?”
“Your wife allowed us to examine the study again. We found this button in the drawer where she said you had kept the tin box.”