a gold coin shining amongst it. Ayscough made a significant motion of his head at the sight.
"Another proof of—hurry!" he said. "Somebody's cleared out of this place about as quick as he could! Money left lying about—unfinished meal—door open—all sure indications. Well, we've seen enough for the present. Our people'll make a thorough search later. Come downstairs again."
Neither Ayscough nor Melky were greatly inclined for conversation or speculation, and they waited in silence near the gate, both thinking of the still figure lying behind the laurel bushes until the police came. Then followed whispered consultations between Ayscough and the inspector, and arrangements for the remvoal of the dead man to the mortuary and the guardianship and thorough search of the house—and that done, Ayscough beckoned Melky out into the road.
"Glad to be out of that—for this time, anyway!" he said, with an air of relief. "There's too much atmosphere of murder and mystery—what they call Oriental mystery—for me in there, Mr. Rubinstein! Now then, there's something we can do, at once. Did I understand you to say these two were medical students at University College?"
"So Mr. Penniket said," replied Melky. "S'elp me! I never heard of 'em till this afternoon!"
"You're going to hear a fine lot about 'em before long, anyway!" remarked Ayscough.
"Well—we'll just drive on to Gower Street—somebody'll know something about 'em there, I reckon."
He walked forward until he came to the cab-rank at
