the man who uttered them.

"An ivory skull!" he cried. "What has an ivory skull to do with the
murder of Mrs. Lester?"

"We cannot even begin to guess at its meaning yet," said Winter, who,
after one fierce glance at his colleague, had recovered his poise.
"That is why I did not mention it. I hate the introduction of bizarre
features into an inquiry of this sort. But, now that the thing has
been spoken of, I may as well state that when the medical examination
was being made at the mortuary a tiny skull, not bigger than a pea,
and made of ivory, was found inside Mrs. Lester's underbodice. The
curious fact is that it was loose. Had it been attached to a cord, or
secured in some way, one might regard it as a charm or amulet, because
some women, even in the London of today, are not beyond the reach of
superstition in such matters. But, as I say, it was not safeguarded at
all, so we may reasonably assume that it was not carried habitually.
Of course, Furneaux readily evolved a far-fetched theory that it is a
sign, or symbol, and was thrust out of sight among the clothing on the
dead woman's breast by the man who killed her. But that is idle
guesswork. We of the Yard seldom pay heed to theatrical notions of
that kind. Here is the article. I don't mind letting you see it, but
kindly remember that its existence must not be made known. I must have
your promise not to mention it to a living creature."

Furneaux chuckled derisively.

"That is precisely the sort of thing anybody would say who attached no
importance to the exhibit," he piped.