“She didn’t see anything from first to last,” answered the detective, “as far as she is concerned it might have been a woman or a black man who trussed her up. It was quite dark in her bedroom and this burglar fellow, after binding and gagging her, fastened a bandage across her eyes into the bargain. She says she heard him moving about her room and then creep out very softly. The next thing she knew was Mrs. Chugg arriving at her bedside this morning.”
“What time did this attack take place?” asked the Chief.
“She has no idea,” answered the detective. “She couldn’t see her watch and they haven’t got a striking clock in the house.”
“But can she make no guess!”
“Well, she says she thinks it was several hours before Mrs. Chugg arrived in the morning... as much as three hours, she thinks!”
“And what time did Mrs. Chugg arrive!”
“At half-past six!”
“About Mackwayte... how long was he dead when they found him? What does the doctor say?”
“About three hours approximately, but you know, they can’t always tell to an hour or so!”
“Well,” said the Chief slowly, “it looks as if one might figure the murder as having been committed some time between 3 and 3.30 a.m.”