A SIGNIFICANT FACT

“The murderer climbed up to Lord Melford’s opened bedroom window all right,” insisted Detective Sergeant Boland, addressing Professor Fordney. “We discovered, you know, that all the entrance doors were locked on the inside and all the windows but the one in question were fastened. See those footprints in the flower bed?”

The two men were standing directly below his lordship’s window when the Scotland Yard man grasped Fordney’s arm in excitement and pointed to the ivy-covered wall of the old mansion. Ten feet from the ground, and leading to Melford’s window on the third floor, the leaves were stripped and broken. “See, Professor, I was right! That’s how the murderer did get in. Let’s have another look inside.”

Lord Melford lay on his bed, his throat cut, the pillow and spread covered with blood. One arm dangled over the edge. The night lamp was still burning. Walking to the open window, Boland discovered fresh scratches on the outside sill.

“That clinches it, Professor. Gosh I’d like to find you wrong just once! Your theory that it’s an inside job and that the murderer did not make his entrance by the window is all shot now. The only one to gain by Melford’s death is his nephew and—I don’t believe he’d have the courage for a job like this.”

“Appearances are deceiving, old fellow—you’ve learned that. I’m really surprised that you’ve overlooked such a significant fact.” Fordney carefully examined the window sill. “Do you see what I mean?”

What was the significant fact that Boland overlooked? Turn page for solution.