Page:The Black Camel (IA blackcamel0000earl).djvu/72

indignation. “So sorry,” he remarked coldly, “but the police are in charge here now.”

Chan nodded. “You are eminently correct in that sneer. Never before in my life has such a happening aroused itself in my path. But I give you my word”—he looked slowly round the little group—“the person who struck that blow will pay. I am in no mood that turns the other cheek to-night.”

He took out his handkerchief and applied it to the cheek that had, unfortunately, been already turned. It did not need the trace of red on the white linen to tell him that the hand that had hit him wore a ring. His right cheek—then the blow had probably come from some one’s left hand. On the left hand of Van Horn, he noted a large seal ring; he turned to Wilkie Ballou, and on that gentleman’s left hand he caught the glint of a diamond. Covertly he pursued his study; Bradshaw, Martino, Tarneverro and Jaynes were all innocent of jewelry.

Tarneverro held his arms aloft. “You may start with me,” he said. “You are, of course, going to search every one in this room.”

Charlie smiled. “I am not quite such fool as that. Person who favored me with vigorous blow is not likely to hold incriminating letter in guilty possession. Besides,” he added casually, as he walked away, “the matter is of small importance anyhow.”

Tarneverro lowered his arms. It was quite evident from his expression that he heartily disapproved Charlie’s omission of what he considered an essential move. But Chan ignored him. The detective was making a swift examination of the cord which stretched from the lamp to an electrical socket a few