Nick Carter took in with a few swift glances those important features of the scene already mentioned. Instead of immediately beginning a more careful inspection, however, he turned to the headquarters man and said:
“Am I to understand, Phelan, that things are about as you found them?”
“Yes. Nothing has been disturbed, Nick, of any importance.”
“Was the woman lying in that position?”
“Yes. I have not touched the body. I saw that writing on the wall, and—”
“One moment,” Nick interposed. “Who discovered the crime?”
“A girl who lives in the second flat. She came down about eight o’clock to go out to work, and she saw spots of blood on the hall floor near the door of this flat.”
“I noticed them when I entered.[Pg 7]”
“She tried the door, and found it locked. It has an automatic lock. Sh
