He put the question idly, for his mind was absorbed in this new and to him tremendous aspect of the crime.

Thornton Lyne had been killed by his pistol! That to him was the most staggering circumstance which had been revealed since he had come into the case.
"Yes," Whiteside was saying, "it's the second setback." With an effort Tarling brought his mind back from speculating upon the new mystery.
"Do you remember this ?" said Whiteside.

He opened his safe and took out a big envelope, from which he extracted a telegram.
"Yes, this is the telegram supposed to have been sent by Odette Rider, asking Mr.Lyne to call at her flat.

It was found amongst the dead man's effects when the house was searched." "To be exact," corrected Whiteside, "it was discovered by Lyne's valet--a man named Cole, who seems to be a very honest person, against whom no suspicion could be attached.

I had him here this morning early to make further inquiries into Lyne's movements on the night of the murder.