VIII: THE INQUEST
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THE situation was indeed changed. My latent detective instinct was now fully roused, and I determined to do all I could toward solving the mystery.
I said as much to Mr. Maxwell, and he thanked me for my sympathy and interest.
He also asked whether I thought Mr. Hunt a skilled detective, or whether I advised sending to New York for a more expert man. This annoyed me, for it proved that he considered my services as well-meant, but not especially valuable.
However, I showed no irritation, and answered simply that I thought Mr. Hunt quite capable of discovering all that could be discovered.
“You see,” I went on, “we are at a disadvantage in having lost so many hours already. Had we known last night there was an intruder from outside, we could perhaps have caug
