"I do know, beyond any possibility of doubt."
"Did you see the snake?"
Oakes shook his head.
"Then, how in heaven's name——"
"I have enough evidence to make a jury convict Mr. Snake without leaving the box."
"Then suppose you tell me this. How did your cobra from Java get out of the room?"
"By the window," replied Oakes, impassively.
"How can you possibly explain that? You say yourself that the window was high up."
"Nevertheless, it got out by the window. The logical sequence of events is proof enough that it was in the room. It killed Captain Gunner there, and left traces of its presence outside. Therefore, as the window was the only exit, it must have escaped by that route. It may have climbed or it may have jumped, but somehow it got out of that window."
"What do you mean—it left traces of its presence outside?"