"which I have met with before, though never in Europe.
I begin to understand, Petrie."

He tilted the lamp-shade and made a close examination of the scraps
of paper, matches, and other debris that lay in the grate and on the hearth.
I took up a copper vase from the mantelpiece, and was examining it curiously,
when he turned, a strange expression upon his face.

"Put that back, old man," he said quietly.

Much surprised, I did as he directed.

"Don't touch anything in the room. It may be dangerous."

Something in the tone of his voice chilled me, and I hastily
replaced the vase, and stood by the door of the study,
watching him search, methodically, every inch of the room--
behind the books, in all the ornaments, in table drawers,
in cupboards, on shelves.

"That will do," he said at last. "There is nothing here and I
have no time to search farther."

We returned to the library.

"Inspector Weymouth," said my friend, "I have a particular
reason for asking that Sir Crichton's body be removed from
this room at once and the library locked. Let no one be
admitted on any pretense whatever until you hear from me."
It spoke volumes for the mysterious credentials borne by my