Page:The Black Camel (IA blackcamel0000earl).djvu/305

“Over there—where Mr. Martino is now seated, sir.”

“And Anna—where did Anna sit?”

“She sat here, sir.” And Jessop laid his hand on the back of Tarneverro’s chair.

For a moment Chan was silent, staring at the butler with unseeing eyes. He sighed heavily, as one who after a long journey sights the end of the trail at last.

“Where is Anna now?” he asked.

“She is in her room, I fancy, sir. Up-stairs.”

Charlie nodded at Spencer. “Bring this woman at once,” he ordered, and the policeman disappeared. Chan turned to the table. “Our little experiment is ended. Please step back to living-room.”

They got up and filed silently across the hall. Charlie and the Chief waited at the foot of the stairway. The Chief said nothing, and Charlie also seemed disinclined to speak. Presently Spencer appeared at the head of the stairs, accompanied by Anna. They descended slowly. His eyes like black buttons in the half-light, Chan faced the woman. With cool unconcern, she returned his stare.

“Come with me,” he said. He led her into the living-room, and stood for a moment looking at her feet. She wore high, black shoes, in keeping with her sober uniform. The right one, Charlie noted, seemed somewhat thick about the ankle.

“Anna, I must make very odd request of you,” he said. “Will you be good enough to remove right shoe?”

She sat down, and began slowly to unlace it. Tarneverro came forward and stood at Chan’s side. The detective ignored him.