This news came by telephone from the Chief of the Hertford Constabulary, with the further information that the shoes had been despatched to Scotland Yard by special messenger.
It was half-past seven when the little parcel was deposited on Tarling's table.

He stripped the package of its paper, opened the lid of the cardboard box, and took out a distorted-looking slipper which had seen better days.
"A woman's, undoubtedly," he said.

"Do you note the crescent-shaped heel." "Look!" said Whiteside, pointing to some stains on the whitey-brown inner sock.

"That supports Ling Chu's theory.

The feet of the person who wore these were bleeding." Tailing examined the slippers and nodded.