'No, sir. The fact is the van was engaged on another job.'

The inspector gave the least hint of a professional smile, and
Racksole, disgusted, told him curtly to go and perform his duties.

In a few minutes a message came from the inspector requesting Mr
Racksole to be good enough to come to him on the first floor.
Racksole went. In the ante-room, where the body of Reginald
Dimmock had originally been placed, were the inspector and
Prince Aribert, and two policemen.

'Well?' said Racksole, after he and the Prince had exchanged bows.
Then he saw a coffin laid across two chairs. 'I see a coffin has been
obtained,' he remarked. 'Quite right' He approached it. 'It's empty,'
he observed unthinkingly.

'Just so,' said the inspector. 'The body of the deceased has
disappeared.

And his Serene Highness Prince Aribert informs me that though he
has occupied a room immediately opposite, on the other side of the
corridor, he can throw no light on the affair.'

'Indeed, I cannot!' said the Prince, and though he spoke with
sufficient calmness and dignity, you could see that he was deeply
pained, even distressed.

'Well, I'm - ' murmured Racksole, and stopped.