"Where were you when he gave you the envelope?" he snapped suddenly.
"At the table," replied Stuart with surprise.
"Was the table-lamp alight?"
"Yes. I always light it when seeing patients."
"Did you take the letter into the study to seal it in the other
envelope?"
"I did, and he came along and witnessed me do it."
"Ah," said Dunbar, and scribbled busily in his note-book. "We are
badly tied at Scotland Yard, doctor, and this case looks like being
another for which somebody else will reap the credit. I am going to
make a request that will surprise you."
He tore a leaf out of the book and folded it carefully.
"I am going to ask you to seal up something and lock it away! But I
don't think you'll be troubled by cowled burglars or beautiful women
because of it. On this piece of paper I have written--_a"_--he ticked
off the points on his fingers: "what I believe to be the name of the
man who cut out the cardboard and sealed it in an envelope; _b_: the
name of the cabman; and, _c_: the name of the man who rang me up here
last night and gave me information which had only just reached the
Commissioner. I'll ask you to lock it away until it's wanted, doctor."
"Certainly, if you wish it," replied Stuart. "Come into the study and
you shall see me do as you direct. I may add that the object to be
served is not apparent to me."
Entering the study, he took an envelope, enclosed the piece of paper,
sealed the lapel and locked the envelope in the same drawer of the
bureau which once had contained that marked 30.
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