He looked up the stairway, but, all being in darkness, was
unable to detect anything. Therefore he called out:--
"Is that you, Leroux? Is anything the matter?"
"Matter, Exel!" cried Leroux; "there's a devil of a business! For
mercy's sake, come up!"
His curiosity greatly excited, Mr. Exel mounted the stairs, entering
the lobby of Leroux's flat immediately behind the owner and Dr.
Cumberly--who, like Leroux, was arrayed in a dressing-gown; for he had
been in bed when summoned by his friend.
"You are all in the dark, here," muttered Dr. Cumberly, fumbling for the
switch.
"Some one has turned the light out!" whispered Leroux, nervously; "I
left it on."
Dr. Cumberly pressed the switch, turning up the lobby light as Exel
entered from the landing. Then Leroux, entering the study first of the
three, switched on the light there, also.
One glance he threw about the room, then started back like a man
physically stricken.
"Cumberly!" he gasped, "Cumberly"--and he pointed to the furry heap by
the writing-table.
"You said she lay on the chesterfield," muttered Cumberly.
"I left her there."...
Dr. Cumberly crossed the room and dropped upon his knees. He turned the
white face toward the light, gently parted the civet fur, and pressed
his ear to the silken covering of the breast.
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