"We'll get back now," he added, "and if you'll give me a hand I think we'll move the Professor's body into his own bedroom. When we've done that you can call down the servants."
They returned to the study, where they found Humphries still examining the safe, and after the Inspector had exchanged a few words with his subordinate, he and Colin set about their task.
Lifting the frail, bloodstained figure between them, they carried it slowly up the staircase as far as the first landing. The Professor's room was situated right at the end of the corridor, a large, sparsely furnished apartment with an old-fashioned four-poster in the farther corner. They laid their burden on the bed, and Marsden stood up, cap in hand, while Colin sponged away the blood and covered over the body with a clean sheet.
"It's a wretched sort of ending to a life like his," said the detective, with an unexpected touch of feeling. "One of the greatest scholars in the world, so they tell me; and look at him now—knocked on the head and done for, just like any common drunk in a street fight!" He paused. "I'm not a rich man," he added, "but I'd give a couple of months' pay to put a rope round the neck of the party who did this."
He walked to the door, and, replacing his cap, glanced up at the landing above.
"You might give the servants a call now, doctor," he said. "Don't frighten 'em; just say that if they feel up to it I'd like to have a nice friendly little chat in the study." He dived into his pocket and once more pulled out his notebook. "By the way, can you tell me the name and address of the Professor's solicitor? We shall have to get hold of him the first thing in the morning."
"It's a Mr. Medwin," said Colin. "He lives close by here in Albert Terrace, but I'm hanged if I can remember his number."
"That doesn't matter," returned Marsden. "I can easily look him up in the telephone directory."
He jotted down the name, and, replacing the book in his pocket, laid his hand on Colin's arm.
"There'll be no need for you to stay up any longer," he said. "Both Humphries and I have got plenty to keep us busy until breakfast time. You turn in and get some sleep as soon as you've brought down the servants."