The Duke of York's Steps by Henry Wade — Read

After a quick luncheon and a visit to the library of the Yard to look up "Aneurism" in the Encyclopedia Britannica, in order to check Sir Horace's description, Inspector Poole presented himself at 168 Queen Anne's Gate. On this occasion he did not present his private card, as he thought it unlikely that Miss Fratten would see him on that alone, and he certainly did not intend to entrust his official card to a butler or footman, who would certainly start talking about "a visit from the police"; instead, he enclosed his official card in an envelope with a note explaining that Sir Leward Marradine had instructed him to call.

Poole was standing in the large and comfortable hall, waiting for the return of the butler, when a door on one side opened and a tall young man with a dark moustache came out into the hall and walked towards the staircase. Throwing a glance at Poole, the newcomer hesitated, a puzzled expression on his face, then stopped abruptly and exclaimed: