Why did you ask those questions?"
"For this reason," was the reply--"I had been requested by Colonel
Menendez to visit Cray's Folly, accompanied by my friend, Mr. Knox, in
order that I might investigate certain occurrences which had taken
place here."
"Oh," said the Inspector, raising his eyebrows, "I see. You were here
to make investigations?"
"Yes."
"And these occurrences, will you tell me what they were?"
"Simple enough in themselves," replied Harley. "Someone broke into the
house one night."
"Broke into the house?"
"Undoubtedly."
"But this was never reported to us."
"Possibly not, but someone broke in, nevertheless. Secondly, Colonel
Menendez had detected someone lurking about the lawns, and thirdly, the
wing of a bat was nailed to the main door."
Inspector Aylesbury lowered his eyebrows and concentrated a frowning
glance upon the speaker.
"Of course, sir," he said, "I don't want to jump to conclusions, but
you are not by any chance trying to be funny at a time like this?"
"My sense of humour has failed me entirely," replied Harley. "I am
merely stating bald facts in reply to your questions.
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