"And there is a French window in the study, is there not?"
"Yes; it opens on to the small grass plot opposite the side gate."
"Were the window and the gate locked, or would it have been possible for Mr. Bellingham to let himself out into the lane?"
"The window and the gate both have catches on the inside. He could have got out that way, but, of course, he didn't."
"Why not?"
"Well, no gentleman would go creeping out by the back way like a thief."
"Did you look to see if the French window was shut and fastened after you missed Mr. Bellingham?"
"I looked at it when we shut the house up for the night. It was then shut and fastened on the inside."
"And the side gate?"
"That was shut and latched. You have to slam the gate to make the latch fasten, so no one could have gone out of that gate without being heard."