'There's no law against it, Sergeant.'

'Sometimes I think there should be.'

Stockdale laughed. 'Then I'd have to lock up half the town.'

'The superintendent is right,' said Colbeck. 'One cannot legislate against certain things. One has to live and let live – even though the consequences may be fatal, as in this case.'

Leeming was puzzled. 'What do you mean?'

'Tell me what you see in here, Victor.'

'I see what we all see. The murder victim was battered then acid was poured down his throat. What surprises me is that Mr Kellow didn't put up more of a fight. He looks like a healthy young man yet there's no real sign of a struggle.'

'That's what troubled me,' admitted Stockdale. 'He must have been surprised. I know that he was supposed to be returning to London today but this room was, in fact, reserved in his name. My theory is that Mr Kellow came in here to rest, took off his hat, coat and shoes then lay down on the bed. Someone caught him off guard. Once he murdered his victim, the killer took everything of value and escaped through the window.'

'Yes,' said Colbeck, 'I noticed how easy it would have been to climb on the roof of that shed below. It could well have been a means of escape. But,' he added, crossing to kneel beside the bed, 'there's another explanation that occurs to me.' He peeled back the cuffs of the dead man's shirt. 'It's just as I thought. He was tied up. You can still see the marks of the rope on his wrists.'

Stockdale was upset. 'I should have noticed that myself.'

'You were only looking for things that fitted your theory.'

Leeming scratched his head. 'The killer must have been a strong man,' he noted, 'if he could overpower and tie up his victim. Why didn't Mr Kellow scream his head off? That's what I'd have done in the circumstances.'

'I very much doubt it, Victor,' observed Colbeck with a smile. 'You would never have been in those circumstances. Your wedding ring would have saved you from illicit sexual contact.