Page:The Death-Doctor.djvu/257

Rh sockets of the bolts being wrenched off under the leverage, the door flew open. Then we all three entered.

The kitchen showed signs of recent occupancy, for upon the table stood dirty plates and dishes, while in the range were dead cinders, and upon it stood several dirty pots and pans, showing that a meal had recently been cooked there.

"I always thought the house was empty!" exclaimed Saunders.

"We have it on the list as unoccupied," declared the inspector. "Whoever is here certainly has no right to be. Let's go on."

We ascended the kitchen stairs and searched the ground-floor rooms, finding a large, old-fashioned, heavily-furnished dining-room, where stood the remains of a meal of which three persons had partaken. The drawing-room furniture was covered with a pretty pink-and-white chintz of old design, while the library was cosy and well appointed.

In the bright sunshine of that August morning, however, the place presented a very dirty and neglected appearance. As Saunders drew up the blinds, dirt and disorder were everywhere revealed. The place had not been cleaned for many months, and the neglect