"Are you quite sure they did not mention the discovery in this room of
any object which could be regarded, even remotely, as a sign or symbol
left by the murderer to show that his crime was an act of vengeance,
or retaliation?"

Theydon hesitated. Unquestionably he was in a position of no ordinary
difficulty. But his doubts were solved by an interruption that brought
his heart into his mouth, because a thin, high-pitched voice came
through the half-open door:

"Are you thinking of a small ivory skull, Mr. Forbes?"

CHAPTER VII

WHEREIN MR. FORBES EXPLAINS HIMSELF

Even the boldest may flinch when confronted with that which is
apparently a manifestation of the supernatural. Theydon and Forbes
were standing in a chamber of death. To the best of their belief they
were alone in an otherwise empty flat, and those ominous words coming
from some one unknown and unseen blanched their faces with terror.

But Theydon was a healthy and athletic young Englishman, and Forbes
was of the rare order which combines a frame of exceptional physique
with a mind accustomed to think imperially; two such men might be
trusted to display real grit if surrounded by a horde of veritable
spooks.

The door was thrown wide as they turned at the sound of the words, and
Theydon recognized in a strange little figure-- wearing a blue serge