Page:Burton Stevenson--The marathon mystery.djvu/294

268 “Is that the rack where the coats hang, Thomas?” he asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“And where Mr. Drysdale hung his coat that night?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Did you happen to notice, Thomas, when he came in, whether or not the top button of his raincoat was missing?”

“Yes, sir,” answered Thomas slowly; “I thought about it afterwards, and it’s mighty funny, sir, but I’d swear he had his coat buttoned up tight around his throat. How could he a-done that if th’ top button wasn’t there?”

“How, indeed?” mused Godfrey, gazing at the rack with eyes intent.

Then they softened, brightened; his face broke into a smile.

“Of course,” he said, half to himself; “how dense of me not to have thought of it!” Now, Thomas, we’ll go upstairs.”