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e premises or escaped without your notice." "I suppose," Anna said, "that those are reasonable deductions." The detective thrust his notebook into his pocket. "I brought a man with me who is posted outside," he remarked. "With your permission I should like to search the remainder of your rooms." Anna showed him the way. "Have either of you been out of this room since you discovered what had happened?" he asked. "Mr. Brendon went for the doctor," Anna answered. "I have not left this apartment myself." Nothing unusual was discovered in any other part of the flat. While they were still engaged in looking round the doctor returned with a nurse and assistant. "With your permission," he said to Anna, "I shall arrange a bed for him where he is. There is scarcely one chance in a dozen of saving his life; there would be none at all if he were moved." "You can make any arrangements you like," Anna declared. "I shall leave the flat to you and go to a hotel." "You would perhaps be so good as to allow one of my men to accompany you and see you settled," Mr. Dorling said deferentially. "In the event of his death we should require you at once to attend at the inquest." "I am going to pack my bag," Anna answered. "In five minutes I shall be ready." _Chapter XXV_ THE STEEL EDGE OF THE TRUTH The manservant, with his plain black clothes and black tie, had entered the room with a deferential little gesture. "You will pardon me, sir," he said in a subdued tone, "but I think that you have forgotten to look at your engagement book. There is Lady Arlingford's reception to-night, ten till twelve, and the Hatton House ball, marked with a cross, sir, important. I put your clothes out an hour ago." Nigel Ennison looked up with a little start. "All right, Dunster," he said. "I may go to Hatton House later, but you needn't wait. I can get into my clothes." The man hesitated. "Can I bring you anything, sir--a whisky and soda, or a liqueur? You'll excuse me, sir, but you haven't touched your coffee." "Bring me a whisky and soda, and a box of cigarettes," Ennison answered, "and then leave me alone, there's a good fellow. I'm a little tired." The man obeyed his orders noiselessly and then left the room. Ennison roused himself with an effort, took a long drink from his whisky and soda, and lit a cigarette. "What a fool I am!" he muttered, standing up on the hearthrug, and leaning his elbows
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