This woman is a new factor in the case and I don't know how to place her." "Not entirely new," said Thorndyke.

"You have not forgotten those beads that we found in Jeffrey's bedroom, have you ?" "No, I had not forgotten them, but I did not see that they told us much excepting that some woman had apparently been in his bedroom at some time." "That, I think, is all that they did tell us.

But now they tell us that a particular woman was in his bedroom at a particular time, which is a good deal more significant." "Yes.

It almost looks as if she must have been there when he made away with himself." "It does, very much." "By the way, you were right about the colours of those beads, and also about the way they were used." "As to their use, that was a mere guess; but it has turned out to be correct.

It was well that we found the beads, for, small as is the amount of information they give, it is still enough to carry us a stage further." "How so ?" "I mean that the cabman's evidence tells us only that this woman entered the house.