Pagina 305 di 657

"He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?"

"Yes."

"A call for help, you thought?"

"Yes. He waved his hands."

"But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the

unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?"

"It is possible."

"And you thought he was pulled back?"

"He disappeared so suddenly."

"He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the

room?"

"No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and

the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs."

"Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his

ordinary clothes on?"

"But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare

throat."

"Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?"

"Never."

"Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?"

"Never."

"Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about

which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little

supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day

to-morrow."