He requested Mrs. Rheinholdt to walk with him through the
door by which she had entered, and stop at the precise spot where the
assault had been made upon her. There were one or two plants knocked down
from the tiers on the right-hand side, and some disturbance in the mould
where some large palms were growing. Quest and Lenora together made a
close investigation of the spot. Afterwards, Quest walked several times to
each of the doors leading into the gardens.
"There are four entrances altogether," he remarked, as he lit a cigar and
glanced around the place. "Two lead into the gardens--one is locked and
the other isn't--one connects with the back of the house--the one through
which you came, Mrs. Rheinholdt, and the other leads into your reception
room, into which you passed after the assault. I shall now be glad if you
will permit me to examine the gardens outside for a few minutes, alone
with my assistant, if you please."
For almost a quarter of an hour, Quest and Lenora disappeared. They all
looked eagerly at the criminologist on his return, but his face was
sphinxlike. He turned to Mrs. Rheinholdt, who with her son, the butler,
and the Professor were the only occupants of the conservatory.
"It seems to me," he remarked, "that from the back part of the house the
quickest way to reach Mayton Avenue would be through this conservatory and
out of that door. There is a path leading from just outside straight to a
gate in the wall. Does any one that you know of use this means of exit?"
Mrs.
Pages:
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69