Chapter 84

When quiet was restored, I continued, “Sergeant Kellerman, how many sets of my client’s fingerprints were found at the scene?”

“One very faint print was located on an item on the deceased’s dressing table.”

“Just one?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Located on”—I studied the report briefly for emphasis, although I knew the answer—“a bottle of perfume. Is that correct?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Which, according to the housekeeper, my client had given to his wife Christmas before last, is that also correct?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“How, then, can you conclude that my client was ever in that room, given that the only object bearing his fingerprints had been a gift to his wife Christmas before last and given that it is your theory that he did not know his wife in the biblical sense?”

This drew a violent objection, which was finally overruled.

“We believe that he wiped the room clean of prints.”

“If that’s the case, Sergeant, how do you explain all those other prints you found?”