While he was at work Edward joined us cautiously.

"Has anything happened?" asked Craig.

"A message came by a boy for Mrs. Pitts," whispered the valet.

"What did she do with it?"

"Tore it up."

"And the pieces?"

"She must have hidden them somewhere."

"See if you can get them."

Edward nodded and left us.

"Yes," I remarked after he had gone, "it does seem as if the thing
to do was to get on the trail of a person bearing wounds of some
kind. I notice, for one thing, Craig, that Edward shows no such
marks, nor does any one else in the house as far as I can see. If
it were an 'inside job' I fancy Edward at least could clear
himself. The point is to find the person with a bandaged hand or
plastered face."

Kennedy assented, but his mind was on another subject. "Before we
go we must see Mrs. Pitts alone, if we can," he said simply.