"What time would that be?"

"It was a quarter to twelve," declared Cumberly. "I had been supping
with some friends, and returned to find Helen, my daughter, engaged
in preparing the omelette. I congratulated her upon the happy thought,
knowing that Leroux was probably starving himself."

"I see. The omelette, though, seems to be upset here on the floor?" said
the inspector.

Cumberly briefly explained how it came to be there, Leroux punctuating
his friend's story with affirmative nods.

"Then the door of the flat was open all the time?" cried Dunbar.

"Yes," replied Cumberly; "but whilst Exel and I searched the other
rooms--and our search was exhaustive--Mr. Leroux remained here in the
study, and in full view of the lobby--as you see for yourself."

"No living thing," said Leroux, monotonously, "left this flat from the
time that the three of us, Exel, Cumberly, and I, entered, up to the
time that Miss Cumberly came, and, with the doctor, went out again."

"H'm!" said the inspector, making notes; "it appears so, certainly. I
will ask you then, for your own account, Mr. Leroux, of the arrival of
the woman in the civet furs. Pay special attention"--he pointed with his
fountain-pen--"to the TIME at which the various incidents occurred."

Leroux, growing calmer as he proceeded with the strange story, complied