"I'm not denying it's a very puzzling case, Mr. Bathurst," rejoined Baddeley, "neither am I pretending that it's all as clear as daylight to me--yet--but I'm getting on very nicely, thank you, and the last little ray of sunshine may come at any moment. They very often come when least expected."
Sir Charles Considine, Lady Considine and Jack joined us.
"Ah, Baddeley!" cried Sir Charles--"what luck in your chase--did you get into touch with him all right? Did you get what you wanted?"
"Yes, thank you, Sir Charles--I found him where you said."
"And you were entirely satisfied, eh, Baddeley?"
Baddeley turned the question aside. It didn't suit him at the moment to satisfy Sir Charles' curiosity. "I'll see you later, Sir Charles," he answered, "if you don't mind."
"Oh--quite--quite--I understand perfectly."
"One question I should like to ask you, Sir Charles. On my way here, I met a telegraph boy obviously coming away from the house. Anything important happened since I was here last?"
Sir Charles stared at him blankly. "A telegram here--I wasn't aware----"
Jack Considine cut in. "It was for me, Dad," he said. "From Tennant."
"Tennant?" muttered Baddeley. "Wasn't he a guest here on the night of the murder? What did he want?"
"His pajamas! He'd left them behind in his bedroom."
CHAPTER XV MR. BATHURST TAKES HIS SECOND LOOK--WITH MR. CUNNINGHAM'S ASSISTANCE
Anthony drew me to one side. "I don't think we gain a lot by staying here, Bill," he whispered. "We'll get back to my original proposition--let's have another look at Prescott's bedroom."
We entered the house and went upstairs. It will be remembered that the bedroom occupied by Prescott was the fourth along the corridor, and lay between the rooms that had sheltered Major Hornby and Tennant. It had been straightened and put in order.
Anthony went to the wardrobe and opened it. "Clothes all gone," he remarked.
"Wouldn't the Inspector have them?" I suggested.
"I don't mean the clothes he was wearing--I wanted his other clothes."
"Mrs. Prescott, I expect--that's the explanation. She's taken them."
"Very probably, Bill! Never mind--can't be helped. I daresay she'll let me have a glance at them if I consider it necessary. Let's have a look at the dressing-table drawers. Are they empty too?"