Armstrong said violently:

«Somebody must have taken it!»

There was silence in the room.

Armstrong stood with his back to the window. Four pairs of eyes were on him, black with suspicion and accusation. He looked from Wargrave to Vera and repeated helplessly – weakly:

«I tell you some one must have taken it.»

Blore was looking at Lombard who returned his gaze.

The judge said: «There are five of us here in this room. One of us is a murderer. The position is fraught with grave danger. Everything must be done in order to safeguard the four of us who are innocent. I will now ask you, Dr. Armstrong, what drugs you have in your possession?»

Armstrong replied: «I have a small medicine case here. You can examine it. You will find some sleeping stufftrional and sulphonal tablets – a packet of bromide, bicarbonate of soda, aspirin. Nothing else. I have no cyanide in my possession.»

The judge said: «I have, myself, some sleeping tablets – sulphonal, I think they are. I presume they would be lethal if a sufficiently large dose were given. You, Mr. Lombard, have in your possession a revolver.»

Philip Lombard said sharply: «What if I have?»

«Only this. I propose that the doctor’s supply of drugs, my own sulphonal tablets, your revolver and anything else of the nature of drugs or firearms should be collected together and placed in a safe place. That after this is done, we should each of us submit to a search – both of our persons and of our effects.»

Lombard said: «I’m damned if I’ll give up my revolver!»

Wargrave said sharply:

«Mr. Lombard, you are a very strongly built and powerful young man, but ex-Inspector Blore is also a man of powerful physique. I do not know what the outcome of a struggle between you would be but I can tell you this. On Blore’s side, assisting him to the best of our ability will be myself, Dr. Armstrong and Miss Claythorne. You will appreciate, therefore, that the odds against you if you choose to resist will be somewhat heavy.»

Lombard threw his head back. His teeth showed in what was almost a snarl.

«Oh, very well then. Since you’ve got it all taped out.»

Mr. Justice Wargrave nodded his head.

«You are a sensible young man. Where is this revolver of yours?»

«In the drawer of the table by my bed.»

«Good.»

«I’ll fetch it.»

«I think it would be desirable if we went with you.»

Philip said with a smile that was still nearer a snarl:

«Suspicious devil, aren’t you?»

They went along the corridor to Lombard’s room. Philip strode across to the bed-table and jerked open the drawer.

Then he recoiled with an oath.

The drawer of the bed-table was empty.