"Be quiet," shouted Professor Higginson very rudely. "If it is Thursday," he continued to the others, dropping his voice again, "this is a more serious thing than I had imagined. Why, three whole days … and yet, wait" (and here he extended one hand and covered his eyes with the other) "I seem to have an impression of … cold meat … a room … voices … no, it is gone."
The younger policeman pulled out a notebook and an extremely insufficient pencil, which was at once short, thick, and bald-headed.
"Lost any valuables, sir?" he began.
The Professor slapped his pockets, and then suddenly remembered that he had changed his clothes.
"No," he mused. "No, not to my knowledge. I had my watch" (he began to tick off on his fingers) "and a few shillings change …" But for the life of him he couldn't decide whether to lose valuables or not. On the whole he decided not to.
"No," (after careful thought), "no, I lost nothing. My boots were very damp as I took them off, if that is any clue."
The younger policeman was rapidly putting
