IV

Superintendent¹ Sugden had rung the bell three times. Finally, in desperation, he pounded on theknocker.

A scared Walter at length opened the door.

“Oo-er,” he said. A look of relief came over his face. “I was just ringing up the police.”

“What for?” said Superintendent Sugden sharply. “What’s going on here?”

Walter whispered:

“It’s old Mr. Lee. He’s been done in. .?.?.”

The superintendent pushed past him and ran up the stairs. He came into the room withoutanyone being aware of his entrance. As he entered he saw Pilar bend forward and pick upsomething from the floor. He saw David Lee standing² with his hands over his eyes.

He saw the others huddled³ into a little group. Alfred Lee alone had stepped near his father’sbody. He stood now quite close, looking down. His face was blank.

George Lee was saying importantly:

“Nothing must be touched—remember that—nothing—till the police arrive. That is mostimportant!”

“Excuse me,” said Sugden.

He pushed his way forward, gently thrusting the ladies aside.

Alfred Lee recognized him.

“Ah,” he said. “It’s you, Superintendent Sugden. You’ve got here very quickly.”

“Yes, Mr. Lee.” Superintendent Sugden did not waste time on explanations. “What’s allthis?”

“My father,” said Alfred Lee, “has been killed—murdered. .?.?.”

His voice broke.

Magdalene began suddenly to sob⁴ hysterically⁵.

Superintendent Sugden held up a large official hand. He said authoritatively⁶:

“Will everybody kindly⁷ leave the room except Mr. Lee and—er—Mr. George Lee?. .?.?.”

They moved slowly towards the door, reluctantly, like sheep. Superintendent Sugdenintercepted Pilar suddenly.

“Excuse me, miss,” he said pleasantly. “Nothing must be touched or disturbed.”

She stared at him. Stephen Farr said impatiently:

“Of course not. She understands that.”

Superintendent Sugden said, still in the same pleasant manner: “You picked up somethingfrom the floor just now?”

Pilar’s eyes opened. She stared and said incredulously: “I did?”

Superintendent Sugden was still pleasant. His voice was just a little firmer.

“Yes, I saw you. .?.?.”

“Oh!”

“So please give it to me. It’s in your hand now.”

Slowly Pilar unclosed her hand. There lay in it a wisp of rubber and a small object made ofwood. Superintendent Sugden took them, enclosed them in an envelope and put them away in hisbreast pocket. He said: “Thank you.”

He turned away. Just for a minute Stephen Farr’s eyes showed a startled respect. It was asthough he had underestimated the large handsome superintendent.

They went slowly out of the room. Behind them they heard the superintendent’s voice sayingofficially:

“And now, if you please. .?.?.”

 

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