"No one," Anna answered firmly.
"Then either this man shot himself or some one else shot him
immediately before your arrival--or rather if it was not himself the
person who did it was in the room, say two minutes, before you
arrived."
"That is so," Anna admitted.
"I will not trouble you with any questions about the other occupants
of the flats," Mr. Dorling said. "I shall have to go through the
building. You say that this gentleman was with you?"
"I was," Brendon answered, "most providentially."
"You did not notice anything which may have escaped this lady? You saw
no one leave the flats?"
"No one," Brendon answered.
"You heard no pistol-shot?"
"None."
The detective turned again to Anna.
"You know of no one likely to have had a grudge against this man?" he
asked.
"No."
"There is no one else who has a key to your rooms?"
"No one except my maid, who is away in Wiltshire."
"The inference is, then," the detective said smoothly, "that this man
obtained admission to your rooms by means of a false key, that he
burnt some papers here and shot himself within a few moments of your
return. Either that or some other person also obtained admission here
and shot him, and that person is either still upon the premises or
escaped without your notice."
"I suppose," Anna said, "that those are reasonable deductions."
The detective thrust his notebook into his pocket.
"I brought a man with me who is posted outside," he remarked. "With
your permission I should like to search the remainder of your rooms."
Anna showed him the way.
"Have either of you been out of this room since you discovered what
had happened?" he asked.
"Mr. Brendon went for the doctor," Anna answered. "I have not left
this apartment myself."
Nothing unusual was discovered in any other part of the flat. While
they were still engaged in looking round the doctor returned with a
nurse and assistant.
"With your permission," he said to Anna, "I shall arrange a bed for
him where he is. There is scarcely one chance in a dozen of saving his
life; there would be none at all if he were moved."
"You can make any arrangements you like," Anna declared. "I shall
leave the flat to you and go to a hotel."
"You would perhaps be so good as to allow one of my men to accompany
you and see you settled," Mr. Dorling said deferentially. "In the
event of his death we should require you at once to attend at the
inquest."
"I am going to pack my bag," Anna answered. "In five minutes I shall
be ready."