"
Mr. Loram paused and took a deep breath, and his lordship flattened his
eyelids.
"Is there a side gate to the premises?" the barrister resumed wearily.
"Yes. It opens into a narrow lane at the side of the house."
"And there is a French window in the study, is there not?"
"Yes; it opens on to the small grass plot opposite the side gate."
"Were the window and the gate locked, or would it have been possible for
Mr. Bellingham to let himself out into the lane?"
"The window and the gate both have catches on the inside. He could have
got out that way, but, of course, he didn't."
"Why not?"
"Well, no gentleman would go creeping out by the back way like a thief."
"Did you look to see if the French window was shut and fastened after
you missed Mr. Bellingham?"
"I looked at it when we shut the house up for the night. It was then
shut and fastened on the inside."
"And the side gate?"
"That was shut and latched. You have to slam the gate to make the latch
fasten, so no one could have gone out of that gate without being heard.
Pages:
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310