Page:The Viaduct Murder (1926).pdf/36

"I mean it looks as if there'd been dirty work. Now for the tool-shed."

To search a dead body is not an easy performance, unless you are in a hurry and have got to do it. Gordon did most of the work, and Reeves checked his results for him. The pockets contained a handkerchief, marked with the name "Masterman," a cigarette-case, of a common pattern, containing a cigarette of a brand smoked by every second man in the neighbourhood, a half-empty box of matches, a pipe and an empty pouch, two florins, a letter and a business communication both addressed to S. Brotherhood, Esq., and a watch and chain. They also found, written on the back of the letter, a pencilled list of goods, as if to remind a man of his shopping needs.

"It's a queer thing," said Reeves, "that watch; because he's got one on his wrist too. How many people, I wonder, carry a stomach-watch as well as a wrist-watch? It's stopped, I suppose?"

"Blessed if it isn't going! An hour fast, apparently, but going. Good advertisement for the makers, what?"

"But the wrist-watch?"

"That's stopped."

"When?"

"Six minutes to five."

"What did I say about trains? The 4.50 from Paston Oatvile would be just passing here at six minutes to five. How's that for deduction?"

"Looks all right, anyhow. And, by Gad, here's