He showed the way to Prescott's bedroom, while Baddeley trailed along in apparent discomfiture.
"You'll not be able to hand me out any surprise packets in here, Mr. Bathurst. I went through Prescott's belongings pretty thoroughly."
"I'll give you credit for that," laughed Anthony. "So don't worry on that score. I'm going to take you farther than this room--but only just a little farther. Come into the bathroom."
We made our way--I bringing up the rear. Anthony fished in his pocket and produced the cigar stub that he had so carefully preserved. He passed it on to our companion. "See that cigar end, Baddeley? That was found on the edge of this wash-stand basin--I found it there, and on this occasion I _do_ know where it was lying." He pointed to the spot. "And I'll tell you this"--he continued. "As far as either of us can say--we don't think it's one of Sir Charles Considine's--it's certainly not one of his customary brand."
"Been smoked by a man with jolly good teeth," remarked the Inspector as he studied it closely. "Prescott himself had excellent teeth--gentlemen."
"Yes--that's a distinct possibility--I admit that," replied Anthony. "Just a piece of absent-mindedness on his part might account for its presence there."
Baddeley nodded. "Was he a cigar smoker? Can you tell me?"
"What do you mean?" I broke in. "Habitually--or occasionally?"
"Well," I uttered, "he'd smoke a cigar after dinner if Sir Charles or anybody offered him one--I can tell you that--I've often seen him."
"Just so! That's all I meant. I'll keep this and make a few inquiries."
"By the way, Baddeley"--from Anthony--"you went all over the bedroom itself pretty systematically--didn't you?"
"I did that," replied Baddeley. "And I don't think I missed anything."
It was on the tip of my tongue to put him wise again--I thought of the letter fragments--but Anthony put a quick finger to his lips, unseen by the Inspector. I also caught the fleeting suggestion of a lowered eyelid. It then became evident to me that he did not intend to let Baddeley know what I had found in the bedroom. Neither had he mentioned Mary's evidence about the mysterious watcher that she and Prescott had seen--in short, I realized that Anthony was only putting some of his cards on the table.
