Page:Burton Stevenson--The marathon mystery.djvu/292

266 were still shining. “Now I should like your permission to look over the grounds and to examine the rooms which Drysdale and Tremaine occupied.”

“Certainly,” and Delroy touched the bell. “Thomas,” he said, to the servant who entered, “you will take these gentlemen wherever they wish to go and answer any questions they may ask you.”

We went first to the boathouse and pier and looked over the scene of the tragedy. I was struck, at once, by the change in Godfrey’s demeanour; he no longer seemed either perplexed or worried; his face was shining with triumph. Evidently he had discovered a way out of the labyrinth.

To the boathouse he gave a particularly careful scrutiny, searching in every corner, apparently for some minute object which he failed to find. Out on the pier, again, he stood looking up and down with thoughtful face.

“Pshaw!” he said suddenly. “I might have known I was just wasting my time in there. Come this way, Lester.”

He hurried back through the boathouse and down to the beach. Along the edge of it he walked, scrutinising every inch of the sand. Suddenly he stooped with a little cry of triumph and caught up a small bottle. It was quite empty. He removed the cork, sniffed it, and replaced it quickly.

“Do you mean to say, Godfrey,” I demanded in astonishment, “that you have been looking for that bottle?”

“It’s precisely what I’ve been looking for,” he returned exultantly. “And I’ve learned one thing—