About noon
The clank of milk-cans was my final impression of the avenue to which a dreadful minister of death had come at the bidding of the death lord . We left Inspector Weymouth in charge and returned to my rooms , scarcely exchanging a word upon the way . Nayland Smith , ignoring my entreaties , composed himself for slumber in the white cane chair in my study . About noon he retired to the bathroom , and returning , made a pretense of breakfast ; then resumed his seat in the cane armchair . Carter reported in the afternoon , but his report was merely formal . Returning from my round of professional visits at half past five , I found Nayland Smith in the same position ; and so the day waned into evening , and dusk fell uneventfully . In the corner of the big room by the empty fireplace , Nayland Smith lay , with his long , lean frame extended in the white cane chair .