"Personally, I like Lenora, who has had less experience of such adventures, to grow accustomed to danger....

With your permission, Inspector, I am going to search the front room on the first floor before we do anything else.

I think that if you wait here I may be able to show you something directly." Quest ascended the stairs and entered a wholly unfurnished room on the left-hand side.

He looked for a minute contemplatively at a large but rather shallow cupboard, the door of which stood open, and tapped lightly with his forefinger upon the back part of it.

Then he withdrew a few feet and, drawing out his revolver, deliberately fired into the floor, a few inches inside.