The furniture was taken straight out into the side-street on to which this house opens." He led the way out of the room on to the landing and went down the dark staircase into the hall.

He opened the shutters of the hall windows, and let in the light.

Then he examined the hall.

The dust lay thick on the tiled floor.

Down the middle of it was a lane formed by many feet.
The footprints were faint, but still plain in the layer of dust.
Guerchard came back to the stairs and began to examine them.