nd now a fine drizzle of rain had set in, which was
driven in sheets against the grimy buildings and whirled in eddies round
the street corners. Willis walked quickly along the shining pavements,
and in a few minutes reached his destination. His chief was waiting for
him.

"Ah, Willis," the great man greeted him, "I'm glad you weren't out.
A case has been reported which I want you to take over; a suspected
murder; man found dead in a taxi at King's Cross."

"Yes, sir," Willis answered unemotionally. "Any details forward?"

"None, except that the man is dead and that they're holding the taxi
at the station. I have asked Dr. Horton to come round, and you had both
better get over there as quickly as possible."

"Yes, sir," Willis replied again, and quickly left the room.

His preparations were simple. He had only to arrange for a couple of
plain clothes men and a photographer with a flashlight apparatus to
accompany him, and to bring from his room a handbag containing his
notebook and a few other necessary articles. He met the police doctor
in the corridor and, the others being already in waiting, the five men
immediately left the great building and took a car to the station.

"What's the case, inspector, do you know?" Dr. Horton inquired as they
slipped deftly through the traffic.

"The Chief said suspected murder; man found dead in a taxi at King's
Cross. He had no details."

"How was it done?"

"Don't know, sir. Chief didn't say."

After a few brief observations on the inclemency of the weather,
conversation waned between the two men, and they followed the example of
their companions, and sat watching with a depressed air the rain-swept
streets and the hurrying foot passengers on the wet pavements. All five
were annoyed at being called out, as all were tired and had been looking
forward to an evening of relaxation at their homes.

They made a quick run, reaching the station in a very few minutes. There
a constable identified the inspector.

"They've taken the taxi round to the carrier's yard at the west side of
the station, sir," he said to Willis. "If you'll follow me, I'll show
you the way."

The officer led them to an enclosed and partially roofed area at the
back of the parcels office, where the vans from the shops unloaded their
traffic. In a corner under the roof and surrounded by a little knot
of men stood a taxi-cab. As Willis and his companions approached, a
sergeant of police separated himself