Is it like me? On the contrary, Knox"--he looked me squarely
in the eyes--"you have given me a platform on which already I have
begun to erect one corner of a theory of the crime. Without new facts I
can go no further. But this much at least you have done."
"Thanks, Harley," I murmured, and indeed I was gratified; "but where do
your other corners rest?"
"They rest," he said, slowly, "they rest, respectively, upon a bat
wing, a yew tree, and a Lee-Enfield charger-loader."
CHAPTER XXX
THE SEVENTH YEW TREE
Detective-Inspector Wessex arrived at about five o'clock; a quiet,
resourceful man, highly competent, and having the appearance of an ex-
soldier. His respect for the attainments of Paul Harley alone marked
him a student of character. I knew Wessex well, and was delighted when
Pedro showed him into the library.
"Thank God you are here, Wessex," said Harley, when we had exchanged
greetings. "At last I can move. Have you seen the local officer in
charge?"
"No," replied the Inspector, "but I gather that I have been
requisitioned over his head."
"You have," said Harley, grimly, "and over the head of the Chief
Constable, too.
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