as was our custom."

"The communicating door was kept closed?"

"Yes, always. It was open for a minute or less about
ten-twenty-five, when a message came for Sir Crichton.
I took it in to him, and he then seemed in his usual health."

"What was the message?"

"I could not say. It was brought by a district messenger, and he
placed it beside him on the table. It is there now, no doubt."

"And at half-past ten?"

"Sir Crichton suddenly burst open the door and threw himself,
with a scream, into the library. I ran to him but he waved
me back. His eyes were glaring horribly. I had just
reached his side when he fell, writhing, upon the floor.
He seemed past speech, but as I raised him and laid him upon
the couch, he gasped something that sounded like `The red hand!'
Before I could get to bell or telephone he was dead!"

Mr. Burboyne's voice shook as he spoke the words, and Smith seemed
to find this evidence confusing.

"You do not think he referred to the mark on his own hand?"

"I think not. From the direction of his last glance, I feel
sure he referred to something in the study."