"The body is our best clue, Wigan. If we can identify that we shall be nearing the end." And then Quarles turned to Poulton. "Isn't there a nephew in the house? We haven't seen him."
"I'm told he is abroad, sir," the constable answered.
"Do you happen to know him?"
"Quite well by sight, sir."
Quarles nodded, but the nephew was evidently not disposed of to his
Satisfaction.
I interviewed the servants closely, including the chauffeur who had heard nothing of the affair until aroused by the police. Hollis was certain that all the doors and windows were securely fastened. Quarles rather annoyed me by suggesting that the thieves might have entered by an upstairs window or even by the front door.
"If you look at the upstairs windows I think you will find that impossible," said Hollis.
"We will look, and also at the front door."
The professor made a pretense of examining the front door rather carefully.
"You're sure this was locked and bolted last night?"