"Her teeth were oddly discolored, doctor," he said, taking out a
magnifying glass and examining them closely. "They had been recently
scaled, too; so that she was not in the habit of neglecting them."
Dr. Cumberly nodded.
"The drug habit, again," he said guardedly; "a proper examination will
establish the full facts."
The inspector added brief notes to those already made, ere he rose from
beside the body. Then:--
"You are absolutely certain," he said, deliberately, facing Leroux,
"that you had never set eyes on this woman prior to her coming here,
to-night?"
"I can swear it!" said Leroux.
"Good!" replied the detective, and closed his notebook with a snap.
"Usual formalities will have to be gone through, but I don't think I
need trouble you, gentlemen, any further, to-night."
V
DOCTORS DIFFER
Dr. Cumberly walked slowly upstairs to his own flat, a picture etched
indelibly upon his mind, of Henry Leroux, with a face of despair,
sitting below in his dining-room and listening to the ominous sounds
proceeding from the study, where the police were now busily engaged. In
the lobby he met his daughter Helen, who was waiting for him in a state
of nervous suspense.
"Father!" she began, whilst rebuke died upon the doctor's lips--"tell me
quickly what has happened.
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