“And now let us briefly review this mass of evidence. You will see that it consists of a multitude of items, each either trivial or speculative. Up to the time of the actual discovery I had not a single crucial fact, nor any clue as to motive. But, slight as the individual points of evidence were, they pointed with impressive unanimity to one person—Mr. Jellicoe. Thus:
“The person who had the opportunity to commit murder and dispose of the body was Mr. Jellicoe.
“The deceased was last certainly seen alive with Mr. Jellicoe.
“An unidentified human body was delivered to the Museum by Mr. Jellicoe.
“The only person who could have a motive for personating the deceased was Mr. Jellicoe.
“The only known person who could possibly have done so was Mr. Jellicoe.
“One of the two persons who could have had a motive for dropping the scarab was Mr. Jellicoe. The person who found that scarab was Mr. Jellicoe, although, owing to his defective eyesight and his spectacles, he was the most unlikely person of those present to find it.
“The person who was responsible for the execution of the defective will was Mr. Jellicoe.
“Then as to the remains. They were apparently not those of John Bellingham, but parts of a particular kind of body. But the only person who was known to have had such a body in his possession was Mr. Jellicoe.
“The only person who could have had any motive for substituting those remains for the remains of the deceased was Mr. Jellicoe.
“Finally, the person who caused the discovery of those remains at that singularly opportune moment was Mr. Jellicoe.
“This was the sum of the evidence that was in my possession up to the time of the hearing and, indeed, for some time after, and it was not enough to act upon. But when the case had been heard in Court, it was evident either that the proceedings would be abandoned—which was unlikely—or that there would be new developments.
“I watched the progress of events with profound interest. An attempt had been made (by Mr. Jellicoe or some other person) to get the will administered without producing the body of John Bellingham; and that attempt had failed. The coroner’s jury had refused to identify the remains; the Probate Court had refused to presume the death of the testator. As affairs stood the will could not be administered.
“What would be the next move?
“It was virtually certain that it would consist in the production of something which would identify the unrecognized remains as those of the testator.
“But what would that something be?
“The answer to that question would contain the answer to another question: ‘Was my solution of the mystery the true solution?’
“If I was wrong, it was possible that some of the undoubtedly genuine bones of John Bellingham might presently be discovered; for instance, the skull, the kneecap, or the left fibula, by any of which the remains could be positively identified.
“If I was right, only one thing could possibly happen. Mr. Jellicoe would have to play the trump card that he had been holding back in case the Court should refuse the application; a card that he was evidently reluctant to play.
“He would have to produce the bones of the mummy’s finger, together with John Bellingham’s ring. No other course was possible.
“But not only would the bones and the ring have to be found together. They would have to be found in a place which was accessible to Mr. Jellicoe, and so far under his control that he could determine the exact time when the discovery should be made.
“I waited patiently for the answer to my question. Was I right or was I wrong?
“And, in due course, the answer came.
“The bones and the ring were discovered in the well in the grounds of Godfrey Bellingham’s late house. That house was the property of John Bellingham. Mr. Jellicoe was John Bellingham’s agent. Hence it was practically certain that the date on which the well was emptied was settled by Mr. Jellicoe.
“The oracle had spoken.
“The discovery proved conclusively that the bones were not those of John Bellingham (for if they had been the ring would have been unnecessary for identification). But if the bones were not John Bellingham’s, the ring was; from which followed the important corollary that whoever had deposited those bones in the well had had possession of the body of John Bellingham. And there could be no doubt that that person was Mr. Jellicoe.
“On receiving this final confirmation of my conclusions, I applied forthwith to Doctor Norbury for permission to examine the mummy of Sebek-hotep, with the result that you are already acquainted with.”
As Thorndyke concluded, Mr. Jellicoe regarded him thoughtfully for a moment and then said: “You have given us a most complete and lucid exposition of your method of investigation, sir. I have enjoyed it exceedingly, and should have profited by it hereafter—under other circumstances. Are you sure you won’t allow me to fill your glass?” He touched the stopper of the decanter, and Inspector Badger ostentatiously consulted his watch.
“Time is running on, I fear,” said Mr. Jellicoe.
“It is, indeed,” Badger assented emphatically.
“Well, I need not detain you long,” said the lawyer. “My statement is a narration of events. But I desire to make it, and you, no doubt, will be interested to hear it.”
He opened the silver case and selected a fresh cigarette, which, however, he did not light. Inspector Badger produced a funereal notebook, which he laid open on his knee; and the rest of us settled ourselves in our chairs with no little curiosity to hear Mr. Jellicoe’s statement.
XX
The End of the Case
A profound silence had fallen on the room and its occupants. Mr. Jellicoe sat with his eyes fixed on the table as if deep in thought, the unlighted cigarette in one hand, the other grasping the tumbler of water. Presently Inspector Badger coughed impatiently and he looked up. “I beg your
