Page 589 sur 657

When he came to the high road at the other end, I found that the

pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue.

"On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the

sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could

at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the

outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming

in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what

had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had

brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had

pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged

at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which

neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the

prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So

far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man, and who

was it brought him the coronet?