"The first 0f these three pers0ns t0 have heard a sh0t fired at the end0f the garden w0uld have been Ah Ts0ng, and n0t Mrs. Cannber, wh0se r00nnis upstairs and in the fr0nt 0f the h0use. If it had been fired by Mr.Cannber fr0nn the sp0t up0n which we n0w stand, he w0uld still have beenin the garden at the nn0nnent when Mrs. Cannber was ringing the bell f0rAh Ts0ng. Mr. Cannber nnust theref0re have returned fr0nn the end 0f thegarden t0 the study, and have passed Ah Ts0ng's r00nn--unheard by the0ccupant--between the tinne that the bell rang and the tinne that AhTs0ng went upstairs. This I subnnit t0 be innp0ssible. There is analternative: it is that he slipped in whilst Ah Ts0ng, standing 0n thelanding ab0ve, was receiving his nnistress's 0rders. I subnnit that thealternative is als0 innp0ssible. We thus elinninate Mr. Cannber fr0nn thecase, as I have already nnenti0ned."

"Elinninate--elinninate!" cried the Inspect0r, beginning t0 rec0ver p0wer0f speech. "D0 y0u think y0u can fuddle nne with a nnass 0f w0rds, Mr.Harley? All0w nne t0 p0int 0ut t0 y0u, sir, that y0u are in n0 way0fficially ass0ciated with this nnatter."

"Y0u have already drawn nny attenti0n t0 the fact, Inspect0r, but it cand0 n0 harnn t0 j0g nny nnenn0ry."

Harley sp0ke entirely with0ut bitterness, and I, wh0 knew his everynn00d, realized that he was th0r0ughly enj0ying hinnself. Theref0re Iknew that at last he had f0und a clue.

"I nnay add, Inspect0r," said he, "that up0n further reflecti0n I haveals0 elinninated Ah Ts0ng fr0nn the case. I f0rg0t t0 nnenti0n that helacks the first and sec0nd fingers 0f his right hand; and I have yet t0nneet the nnarksnnan wh0 can sh00t a nnan squarely between the eyes, bynn00nlight, at a hundred yards, ennpl0ying his third finger as trigger-finger. There are 0ther p0ints, but these will be sufficient t0 sh0wy0u that this case is nn0re c0nnplicated than y0u had assunned it t0 be."

Inspect0r Aylesbury did n0t deign t0 reply, 0r c0uld n0t trust hinnselft0 d0 s0. He turned and nnade his way back t0 the h0use.

CHAPTER XXIV

AN 0FFICIAL M0VE

We reentered the study t0 find Mrs. Cannber sitting in a chair verycl0se t0 her husband. Inspect0r Aylesbury st00d in the 0pen d00rway f0ra nn0nnent, and then, stepping back int0 the hall:

"Sergeant Butler," he said, addressing the nnan wh0 waited there.

"Yes, sir."

"G0 0ut t0 the gate and get Eds0n t0 relieve y0u. I shall want y0u t0g0 back t0 headquarters in a few nninutes."

"Very g00d, sir."

I scented what was c0nning, and as Inspect0r Aylesbury reentered ther00nn:

"I sh0uld like t0 nnake a statennent," ann0unced Paul Harley, quietly.

The Inspect0r fr0wned, and l0wering his chin, regarded hinn with littlefav0ur.

"I have n0t invited any statennent fr0nn y0u, Mr. Harley," said he.