What o'clock was it when the servants were in this room yesterday morning?
Eleven o'clock--eh?
Is there anybody in the house who knows whether that paint was wet or dry, at eleven yesterday morning ?" "Her ladyship's nephew, Mr.Franklin Blake, knows," I said.
"Is the gentleman in the house ?" Mr.Franklin was as close at hand as could be--waiting for his first chance of being introduced to the great Cuff.

In half a minute he was in the room, and was giving his evidence as follows: "That door, Sergeant," he said, "has been painted by Miss Verinder, under my inspection, with my help, and in a vehicle of my own composition.

The vehicle dries whatever colours may be used with it, in twelve hours." "Do you remember when the smeared bit was done, sir ?" asked the Sergeant.
"Perfectly," answered Mr.Franklin.

"That was the last morsel of the door to be finished.

We wanted to get it done, on Wednesday last--and I myself completed it by three in the afternoon, or soon after." "To-day is Friday," said Sergeant Cuff, addressing himself to Superintendent Seegrave.