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"The idea is not utterly preposterous," he admitted; "but only a layman could have conceived it. Mrs. Vane is unmistakably alive, but unmistakably unconscious. You may accept my word for that."

"Oh," murmured Bluett, and taking the newspaper from his pocket, he put his notebook there, and the newspaper in another pocket. "In that case, let's get down to business."

"I am hoping," said Firth, "for results from fingerprints. I left orders for Sergeant Hawkins to follow on, and it's full time he was here."

"The bell push," Bluett began—

"I have it in mind," said Firth. "If it's true that someone rang the bell immediately after the crime took place, the bell push and the plate may bear evidence."

"It has been raining since then," Dr. Fawcett pointed out.

"I am thinking of that, and I want to find something to hang over it to act as a shield. In fact—"

He ceased speaking so suddenly that the effect was that of a disconnected telephone. Dr. Fawcett, who had picked up his bag and hat, held them in a rigid attitude; Bluett, who had just bent over the dead man, came bolt upright as if at the command of a drill sergeant. Distant awesome chanting arose—and ceased.