nothing about coming to Oxfordshire, but asked me to arrange to spend
a fortnight in London before we both went to Cornwall for the Summer."

"Ah! That is rather important, I should imagine," said Theydon
thoughtfully.

"It is odd, too, that you and the detectives should have noticed the
smell of a joss stick in the flat," went on Miss Beale. "Edith-- my
niece, you know-- could not bear the smell of joss sticks. They
reminded her of Shanghai, where she lost her husband."

Theydon looked more startled than such a seemingly simple statement
warranted. He had realized already that the ivory skull was the work
of an Oriental artist, and the mention of Shanghai brought that
sinister symbol very vividly to his mind's eye.

"Mrs. Lester had lived in China, then?" he said.

"Yes. She was out there nearly six years. Her husband died suddenly
last October-- he was poisoned, she firmly believed-- and, of course,
she came home at once."

"What was Mr. Lester's business, or profession?"

"He was a barrister. I do not mean that he practised in the Consular
courts. He was making his way in England, but was offered some sort of
appointment in Shanghai. The post was so lucrative that he
relinquished a growing connection at the bar. I have never really
understood what he did. I fancy he had to report on commercial matters
to some firm of bankers in London, but he supplied very little