"I happen to live at No. 18 Innesmore Mansions," he said. "Opposite--
on the same floor, I mean-- lives, or did live, a Mrs. Lester. I do
not--"

"Are you telling me that a Mrs. Lester of No. 17 Innesmore Mansions is
dead-- has been murdered?"

Forbes's voice rang out vibrant, incisive. His ordinarily pale face
had blanched, and his deep-set eyes blazed with the fire of some
fierce emotion, but, beyond the slight elevation of tone and the
change of expression, he revealed to Theydon's quietly watchful
scrutiny no sign of the terror or distress which an evildoer might be
expected to show on learning that the law's vengeance was already
shadowing him, even in so remote a way as was indicated by the
presence under his roof of a witness regarded by the police as an
important one.

"Yes!" stammered Theydon, quite taken aback by his companion's
vehemence. "Do you-- know the lady? If so-- I am sorry-- I spoke so
unguardedly--"

"Good heavens, man, don't apologize for that! I am not a child or
weakling, that I should flinch in horror from one of life's dramatic
surprises! But, are you sure of what you are saying? Mrs. Lester
murdered! When?"

"About midnight last night, the doctor believes. That is what Bates
told me. I was so shaken on hearing his news, which was confirmed by
the two detectives, that I really gave little heed to details.... She
was strangled-- a peculiarly atrocious thing where an attractive and