"I want to make sure!" he said. "But first let's see how they did it."
Climbing upon a footstool which he dragged forward for the purpose, Markheim then proceeded to an examination of the picture frame, while we gathered about curiously.
"Can't understand it!" he puffed after a moment of silence. He shook his head like a Japanese doll.
"Can't understand what?" I asked.
"Why, the whole canvas has been removed—stretcher and all!" he cried. "Extraordinary! Extraordinary!"
"Why?" Peaches wanted to know.
"Shows they took their time!" Markheim explained. "Able to unmount the canvas—and it takes skill to roll an old painting! By jove, yes! Usually simply cut it out of the frame, like the Mona Lisa, you know. Only way, really, if you are in a hurry. Yes, they took their time!"
"Then the frame—I mean the stretcher—ought to be somewhere!" suggested Mr. Pegg brightly.
"Nonsense—utter nonsense!" exclaimed Markheim, climbing down. "And now let's give a look round. Heaven only knows what else may be gone!"