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44 would allow, and Titheredge followed his gaze. Sergeant Odell, with a pair of powerful wire-clippers in his hands, was bending over the portrait as it lay face down over the desk.

"Just removing these severed strands of the cable, so that they may be examined under a glass, Mr. Lorne," the detective replied for himself. "There isn't the least doubt that they were deliberately cut; but I want to find out if I can what sort of instrument was used. One thing is certain; whoever did this trick and the one upstairs was of tremendous strength. The tread and face of that step were cut with long, slow sweeps of a heavy saw, not haggled with a small, light one; and the portrait here must have been pried loose from the wall with some powerful lever before the supporting wires could be cut, for no clipper such as this could have reached them. If you will take my advice, Mr. Lorne, you will permit us to assist you to bed now; the shock which you have received, together with your injuries, will make it impossible for me to question you now."

"To-morrow?" Lorne asked eagerly. "Want to get at the bottom—"

"Yes, I know," Odell nodded encouragingly. "You can leave everything in our hands. We'll get you upstairs now with as little pain to you as possible."

"Hadn't we better have young Mr. Chalmers's help?" asked Titheredge. "We will have to carry him around to the servants' staircase, you know, and we must not jar him any more than is necessary."

The detective assented and Titheredge rang the bell, but no one appeared.