The Inspector and Pepper, both wearing looks of resignation, followed him. Khalkis’ bedroom was large and dark and windowless—the chamber of a blind man. Ellery switched on a light and surveyed this new field of exploration. The room was in considerable confusion; the bed was soiled and unmade; a heap of men’s clothing lay on a chair near the bed; there was a faintly nauseating odor in the air. “Probably,” remarked Ellery, moving toward an old highboy across the room, “essence of embalming, or something. This may be an old and solidly built house, as Edmund Crewe said, but it certainly neglects the ventilative necessities.” He looked the highboy over, critically, without touching anything. Then, with a sigh, he made a search of the drawers. In the top drawer he seemed to discover something of interest; for his hand emerged bearing two pieces of paper, and he began to read one of them with relish. The Inspector growled, “What have you found now?” and he and Pepper craned over Ellery’s shoulders.
