ssed some curiosity. Inspector, have you ever solved the
mystery of the two broken coffee-cups found amongst the debris at Mrs.
Fairbrother's feet? It did not come out in the inquest, I noticed."

"Not yet," he cried, "but--you can not tell me anything about them!"

"Possibly not. But I can tell you this: When I reached the supper-room
door that evening I looked back and, providentially or otherwise--only
the future can determine that--detected Mr. Grey in the act of lifting
two cups from a tray left by some waiter on a table standing just
outside the reception-room door. I did not see where he carried them;
I only saw his face turned toward the alcove; and as there was no other
lady there, or anywhere near there, I have dared to think--"

Here the inspector found speech.

"You saw Mr. Grey lift two cups and turn toward the alcove at a moment
we all know to have been critical? You should have told me this before.
He may be a possible witness."

I scarcely listened. I was too full of my own argument.

"There were other people in the hall, especially at my end of it. A
perfect throng was coming from the billiard-room, where the dancing had
been, and it might easily be that he could both enter and leave that
secluded spot without attracting attention. He had shown too early and
much too unmistakably his lack of interest in the general company for
his every movement to be watched as at his first arrival. But this
is simple conjecture; what I have to say next is evidence. The
stiletto--have you studied it, sir? I have, from the pictures. It is
very quaint; and among the devices on the handle is one that especially
attracted my attention. See! This is what I mean." And I handed him
a drawing which I had made with some care in expectation of this very
interview.

He surveyed it with some astonishment.

"I understand," I pursued in trembling tones, for I was much affected by
my own daring, "that no one has so far succeeded in tracing this weapon
to its owner. Why didn't your experts study heraldry and the devices
of great houses? They would have found that this one is not unknown in
England. I can tell you on whose blazon it can often be seen, and so
could--Mr. Grey."

X. I ASTONISH THE INSPECTOR

I was not the only one to tremble now. This man of infinite experience
and daily contact with crime had turned as pale as ever I myself had
done in face of a threatening calamity.

"I shall see about this," he mutte