But the little heap of rubbish there contained nothing that even Thorndyke's inquisitive eye could view with interest.

We wandered disconsolately round the room, peering into the empty cupboards and scanning the floor and the corners by the skirting, without discovering a single object or relic of the late occupants.

In the course of my perambulations I halted by the window and was looking down into the street when Thorndyke called to me sharply: "Come away from the window, Jervis! Have you forgotten that Mrs.
Schallibaum may be in the neighbourhood at this moment ?" As a matter of fact I had entirely forgotten the matter, nor did it now strike me as anything but the remotest of possibilities.

I replied to that effect.
"I don't agree with you," Thorndyke rejoined.

"We have heard that she comes here to look for letters.