position. While the others were trying to get it into place once more,
Ashton-Kirk whispered to Pendleton:

"Say nothing. This is their turn; let them work in their own way. I
will begin where they have finished."

After a little time spent in a gratified inspection of the painting,
Stillman said:

"But, gentlemen, let us have a look at the other rooms. There may be
something more."

They re-passed through the store room and into the living room.
Nothing here took the coroner's attention, and they entered the
bedroom. Both these last had doors leading into the hall; upon their
being tried they were found to be locked.

The smashed pictures upon the bedroom floor at once took the eye of
Stillman. He regarded the broken places in the plaster and prodded the
slivers of wood and glass with the toe of his shoe with much
complacency.

"This completes the story," declared he. "It is now plain from end to
end. The criminal entered the building from the roof, made his way
down stairs and gained admittance through the door which the scrub
woman found unlocked. His purpose was to steal the painting in the
front room.

"In a struggle with Hume, who unexpectedly came upon him, the
intruder killed him. Not knowing the exact location of the picture he