No one came forward with a startling disclosure; no one seemed to know of any secret in Dawson's life, and no one knew of anybody who might be supposed to wish the butler out of the way. The jury returned a verdict of murder against person or persons unknown, and the case ended.

"In fact, sir," said Sergeant Gubbins afterwards, "it's a queer case, and do you know why, Mr. Amberley?"

"I can think of several reasons, but by all means tell me."

"It's because there ain't nothing queer about it, sir," said the sergeant darkly.

Mr. Amberley regarded him enigmatically. "You ought to go a long way, Sergeant - if you're lucky."

"Well, sir, it isn't for me to say so, but I won't say you're wrong," said the sergeant, much gratified.

"But you will have to be very lucky," said Mr. Amberley gently.

The sergeant looked at him suspiciously and pondered the remark for a while in silence. Having considered it carefully he said with some indignation: "It don't surprise me to hear you make a lot of enemies, sir. Not that I'd be one to take offence, because I know you will have your joke. But there's a lot of people mightn't like the way you have of saying things. Now if I didn't know you like I do, I wouldn't tell you what I'm going to. But you gave us a tip or two over that robbery case we had when you were down here, and freely I admit it."

"Yes, you made a bit of a mess of that, didn't you?" said Mr. Amberley. "Still got that chuckle-headed inspector at Carchester, I notice."

The sergeant grinned. "He'll be getting promotion soon. Maybe I will too."

"What for?" asked Mr. Amberley, interested.

"Solving this murder case, sir."

"Oh!" said Mr. Amberley. "Well, don't let me waste your time. You run along and solve it."