"As you see, the bed had not been slept in.
Indeed, Mrs.Lester was fully dressed.

My belief is that she was pounced on the instant she entered the room--probably to retire for the night--strangled before she could utter a sound, and flung here when dead." Again Theydon was aware of the subtle, penetrating, and not wholly unpleasing scent which Furneaux had attributed to the burning of a joss stick, but his mind was focused on the detective's words, which suggested a queer discrepancy between certain vague possibilities already flitting through his brain and the terrible drama as it presented itself to a skilled criminologist.
"But," he said, almost protestingly, "from what I have seen of Mrs.
Lester she was a strong and active woman.

It is inconceivable that the man who came here last night could have murdered her while I was writing two brief notes.

I am positive he did not remain five minutes, and Bates or I, or both of us, must have heard some trampling of feet, some indications of a struggle.

Moreover, you think she was about to retire.
Doesn't that opinion conflict with the known facts ?" "What known facts ?" "Well--or--those I have mentioned.