Chapter 32

“I am interested in crime, Mr. Battle. It is one of my hobbies. I have contributed a monograph to one of our weekly periodicals on the subject ‘Degeneracy and the Criminal.’” As he spoke, his eyes went gently round the room, seeming to note everything in it. They rested just a shade longer on the window. “The body,” said Superintendent Battle, stating a self-evident fact, “has been removed.” “Surely,” said Mr. Fish. His eyes went on to the panelled walls. “Some remarkable pictures in this room, gentlemen. A Holbein…