"Caldew says the first intimation of the crime was the murdered woman screaming.

The scream was followed in a few seconds by the revolver shot.

If she screamed when she saw the murderer enter her room, he may well have feared interruption and capture, and bolted without stealing anything." "Why did he murder her, then, in that case ?" asked Captain Stanhill.
"To prevent subsequent identification.

Many burglars proceed to murder for that reason.

I know plenty of old hands who would commit half a dozen murders rather than face the prospect of five years' imprisonment.
I do not say that burglary was the motive in this case, but we must not lose sight of the possibility." "It seems a strange case," murmured Inspector Weyling absently.