But how to do this in the short space of time that was at my disposal I could not see.

The murderer, as I have already said, was no ordinary one, and had laid his plans with the greatest care.

He had taken away the knife, and in all probability had got rid of it long since.

No one had seen him enter the house on the night in question, nor had any one seen him leave it again.

I was nearly beside myself with vexation.