Anna the Adventuress

"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."