away by rail. If he goes by road with his legs all dripping,
it's odds that someone will notice him. Anyhow, I can't leave
here myself until I am relieved. But I think none of you should
go until we see more clearly how we all stand."

The doctor had taken the lamp and was narrowly scrutinizing the
body. "What's this mark?" he asked. "Could this have any
connection with the crime?"

The dead man's right arm was thrust out from his dressing gown,
and exposed as high as the elbow. About halfway up the forearm
was a curious brown design, a triangle inside a circle, standing
out in vivid relief upon the lard-coloured skin.

"It's not tattooed," said the doctor, peering through his
glasses. "I never saw anything like it. The man has been
branded at some time as they brand cattle. What is the meaning
of this?"

"I don't profess to know the meaning of it," said Cecil Barker;
"but I have seen the mark on Douglas many times this last ten
years."

"And so have I," said the butler. "Many a time when the master
has rolled up his sleeves I have noticed that very mark. I've
often wondered what it could be."

"Then it has nothing to do with the crime, anyhow," said the
sergeant. "But it's a rum thing all the same. Everything about
this case is rum. Well, what is it now?"