The inquest and darker dealings

This morning I attended the inquest for the deceased in number 15. The authorities were convinced it was Scudder's body and had found it a 'case of suicide while of unsound mind'. When I returned to my flat, Scudder listened with great interest.

On this tihrd day in my flat, he has become more edgy, and listens for small noises. On two occasions this afternoon I found him peering round the corner of one of the curtains at the street below.

"Say Hannay," he said, "I judge I should let you a bit deeper into this business - I should hate to go out without leaving somebody else to put up a fight".

He then proceeded to tell me all the facts of his grand scheme. About the Greek man named Karolides who will visit London in June and can put a stop to it; about the Black Stone and a man who lisps in his speech; about a man who has lost the top half of his little finger. But I'm afraid a lot of it washed over me.

Tonight we played chess and he beat me hollow, I need some more practice.

~The body in number 15~
~Franklin P. Scudder arrives~