“I see.” Mitchell jotted down several notes in his memorandum book and then dropped it in his pocket as he turned to Maynard. “Were you the last person to come into the apartment before the shooting?”
“To the best of my knowledge I was.” Maynard looked at his companions. “That is right, Palmer, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Mitchell opened the hall door and examined the lock. “Did you happen to notice, Mr. Maynard, if the door was closed firmly behind you?”
“I never noticed,” admitted Maynard. “Siki closed the door; I didn’t.”
The detective addressed Palmer. “Is it your custom to leave the night latch down?”
“Sometimes; not often.”
Before closing the outer door Mitchell stepped into the corridor and surveyed it, after which he reëntered the apartment. “Have any of you taken up this matter with Captain La Montagne?” he asked.
“We did.” Palmer laid his hand on Maynard’s shoulder. “La Montagne told us he stopped only to inquire the way to Mrs. Van Ness’ apartment, and that he saw a chauffeur leave here a second before he arrived, and that he found the door partly open.”
“Ah, indeed.” Mitchell frowned in indecision before he again spoke. “Have you taken any steps to prove the truth of his statement?”