ould be glad, Inspector," he said, "if you would remember that
the dead man was a personal acquaintance and that other friends are
concerned in this ghastly affair."

"Coombes will remember it," replied Kerry frigidly. "He's taking notes."

"Look here--" began Gray.

Seton laid his hand upon the angry man's shoulder.

"Pull up, Gray," he said quietly. "Pull up, old chap." He turned his
cool regard upon Chief Inspector Kerry, twirling the cord of his monocle
about one finger. "I may remark, Inspector Kerry--for I understand
this to be your name--that your conduct of the inquiry is not always
characterised by the best possible taste."

Kerry rolled chewing-gum, meeting Seton's gaze with a stare intolerant
and aggressive. He imparted that odd writhing movement to his shoulders.

"For my conduct I am responsible to the Commissioner," he replied. "And
if he's not satisfied the Commissioner can have my written resignation
at any hour in the twenty-four that he's short of a pipe-lighter. If
it would not inconvenience you to keep quiet for two minutes I will
continue my examination of this witness."

CHAPTER VII. FURTHER EVIDENCE

The examination of Quentin Gray was three times interrupted by telephone
messages from Vine Street; and to the unsatisfactory character of these
the growing irascibility of Chief Inspector Kerry bore testimony. Then
the divisional surgeon arrived, and Burton incurred the wrath of the
Chief Inspector by deserting his post to show the doctor upstairs.

"If inspired idiocy can help the law," shouted Kerry, "the man who
did this job is as good as dead!" He turned his fierce gaze in Gray's
direction. "Thank you, sir. I need trouble you no further."

"Do you wish me to remain?"

"No. Inspector Whiteleaf, see these two gentlemen past the Sergeant on
duty."

"But damn it all!" cried Gray, his pent-up emotions at last demanding an
outlet, "I won't submit to your infernal dragooning! Do you realize
that while you're standing here, doing nothing--absolutely nothing--an
unhappy woman is--"

"I realize," snapped Kerry, showing his teeth in canine fashion, "that
if you're not outside in ten seconds there's going to be a cloud of dust
on the stairs!"

White with passion, Gray was on the point of uttering other angry and
provocative words when Seton took his arm in a firm grip. "Gray!" he
said sharply. "You leave with me now or I leave alone."

The two walked from the room, followed by Whiteleaf