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"Because I should have seen him if he had"

"But I mean when you were on the stairs"

"He was in the study when I was on the stairs"

"How do you knoas in the study?"

"Because I showed him in there and he hadn't come out"

Mr Loram paused and took a deep breath, and his lordship flattened his eyelids

"Is there a side gate to the premises?" the barrister resumed wearily

"Yes It opens into a narrow lane at the side of the house"

"And there is a Frenchin the study, is there not?"

"Yes; it opens on to the sate"

"Were theand the gate locked, or would it have been possible for Mr Bellinghaate both have catches on the inside He could have got out that way, but, of course, he didn't"

"Why not?"

"Well, no gentle out by the back way like a thief"

"Did you look to see if the French as shut and fastened after you haht It was then shut and fastened on the inside"

"And the side gate?"

"That was shut and latched You have to slaone out of that gate without being heard"