My companion started. "Well?" he asked in that vibrant voice
which told of the fiery soul behind the cold gray face.

"She was talking to the woman behind the counter. I entered as
well. 'It is late,' I heard her say, or words to that effect.
The woman was excusing herself. 'It should be there before now,'
she answered. 'It took longer, being out of the ordinary.' They
both stopped and looked at me, so I asked some questions and then
left the shop."

"You did excellently well. What happened next?"

"The woman came out, but I had hid myself in a doorway. Her
suspicions had been aroused, I think, for she looked round her.
Then she called a cab and got in. I was lucky enough to get
another and so to follow her. She got down at last at No. 36,
Poultney Square, Brixton. I drove past, left my cab at the
corner of the square, and watched the house."

"Did you see anyone?"

"The windows were all in darkness save one on the lower floor.
The blind was down, and I could not see in. I was standing
there, wondering what I should do next, when a covered van drove
up with two men in it. They descended, took something out of the
van, and carried it up the steps to the hall door. Mr. Holmes,
it was a coffin."

"Ah!"