"I do not say that. The man was stabbed in the back, under the left shoulder, probably just as he was in the act of entering the house. I have only made a superficial examination, but I think it probable that the blow killed him in an instant--before, that is, he could breathe the breath which he was breathing, as it were, right out. And I do say this, that if this gentleman had entered the hall a minute before he actually did, he would have seen the man in the very act of being murdered."
The inspector turned again to me.
"Where did this Mr. Duncan Rothwell live?"
"That also is more than I can tell you. The fact is, I know nothing whatever about him. A firm of solicitors placed him in communication with me."
"What was he coming to see you about?"
"With reference to this advertisement."
I gave the inspector the advertisement which had placed me in the position which, so far, did not promise to be much to my advantage.
"What is your name?"
"James Southam."
"Are you the James Southam here alluded to?"