"Doctor，whatinyouropinioncausedMr。Turnbull’sdeath？"
　　"Judgingsuperficially—Imadenothoroughexamination，"Stoneexplainedparenthetically，"IshouldsaythatMr。RochesterwasrightwhenhestatedthatTurnbulldiedfromanacuteattackofanginapectoris。"
　　"HowdidMr。Rochestercometomakethatassertionandwhere？"
　　"ImmediatelyafterTurnbull’sdeath，"repliedStone。"Mr。Rochester，whosharedhisapartment，defendedhimincourt。Mr。RochesterwasawarethatTurnbullsufferedfromthedisease，andMr。Clymer，whowaspresent，alsoknewit。"
　　"Andwhatisyouropinion，doctor？"questionedPenfield。
　　Stonehesitated。"TherewasadistinctodorofamylnitritenoticeablewhenIwenttoTurnbull’said，andIconcludedthenthathehadsomehearttroubleandhadinhaledthedrugtowardoffanattack。ItbearsoutMr。Rochester’stheoryofdeathfromanginapectoris。"
　　"Isee。Thankyou，doctor。Pleasewaitwiththeotherwitnesses;
　　wemaycallyouagain，"andwithasighthebusyphysicianresignedhimselftospendinganotherhourintheroomreservedforthewitnesses。
　　ThenexttotakethewitnessstandwasDeputyMarshalGrant。Histestimonywasshortandconcise，—andhisdescriptionofthesceneinthepolicecourtprecedingTurnbull’sdeathwaslistenedtowithdeepattentionbyeveryone。
　　"Didtheprisonershowanysymptomsofillnessbeforehisheartattack？"askedPenfield。
　　"Notexactlyillness，"repliedGrantslowly。"Inoticedhedidn’tmoveveryquickly;sortofshambled，asifhewasweakinhislegs。
　　I’veseen’drunkanddisorderlies’actjustthatway，andpaidnoparticularattentiontohim。Hedidaskforadrinkofwaterjustafterhereturnedtothecage。"
　　"Didyougiveittohim？"
　　"No，anattendantgavetheglasstoMr。RochesterwhohandedittoMr。Turnbull。"
　　PenfieldregardedGrantinsilenceforaminute。"Thatisall，"
　　heannounced，andwithapolitebowthedeputymarshalwithdrew。
　　DetectiveFergusonrecognizedKentashepasseduptheroomtotheplatformandgavehimaslightbowandsmile，butthesmilehaddisappearedwhen，atthecoroner’srequest，hetoldofhisarrivaljustafterthediscoveryoftheburglar’sidentity。
　　"Isearchedthecagewheretheprisonerhadbeenseatedandfoundthishandkerchief，"hewentontosay。"IthadbeendroppedbyTurnbullandwassaturatedwithamylnitrite。Ihaditexaminedbyachemist，whosaidthatthisamylnitritewasgiventopatientswithhearttroubleinlittlepearlcapsulestobecrushedinhandkerchiefsandthefumesinhaled。
　　"Thechemistalsotoldmethat"—thedetectivespokewithimpressiveseriousness，"judgingfromthenumberofparticlesofcapsulesadheringtothelinen，morethanonecapsulehadbeencrushedbyTurnbull。Hereisthehandkerchief，"andhelaiditonthetablewithgreatcare。
　　Kent’sheartsank;themomenthehaddreadedallthatlongafternoonhadcome。Penfieldinspectedthehandkerchiefwithinterest，andthenpassedittothejurors，cautioningthemtohandleitcarefully。
　　"Inote，"hestated，turningagaintoDetectiveFerguson，"thatitisawoman’shandkerchief。"
　　"Itis，"repliedFerguson。"Andembroideredinonecorneristheinitial’B。’"
　　Penfieldranhisfingersthroughhisgrayhair。"Youmaygo，Ferguson，"hesaid，andbeckonedtothemorguemaster。"AskMissBarbaraMcIntyretoreturn。"
　　Thegirlwasquickinansweringthesummons。Kent，moreandmoreworried，waswatchingthescenewithpainfulattention。
　　"DidMr。Turnbullhaveoneofyourhandkerchiefs？"askedPenfield。
　　Hersurpriseatthequestionwasmanifestinhermanner。
　　"Hemighthave，"shesaid。"Ihaveadreadfulhabitofdroppingmyhandkerchiefsaround。"
　　"DidyoumissoneafterhisvisittoyourhouseonMondaynight？"
　　"MissMcIntyre，"Penfieldtookupthehandkerchiefwhichtheforemanreplacedonhisdeskamomentbefore，andholdingitwithcareextendedittowardthegirl。"Isthisyourhandkerchief？"
　　Sheinspectedthehandkerchiefandtheinitialwithcuriosity，butwithnothingmore，Kentwasconvinced，andinhisreliefwasalmostguiltyofdisturbingthedecorumoftheinquestwithashoutofjoy。
　　"Itisnotmyhandkerchief，"shestatedclearly。
　　Penfieldreplacedthehandkerchiefonthetablewiththesamecarehehadpickeditup，andturnedagaintoher。
　　"Thankyou，MissMcIntyre;Iwon’tdetainyoulonger。Logan，"tothemorguemaster，"askDr。Stonetostephere。"
　　AlmostimmediatelyStonereenteredtheroomandhurriedtotheplatform。
　　"Wouldtwoormorecapsulesofamylnitriteconstitutealethaldose？"askedPenfield。
　　"Theywouldbeveryapttofinishafeebleheart，"repliedStone。
　　"Threecapsules，ifinhaleddeeplywouldcertainlykillahealthyperson。"
　　Penfieldshowedthehandkerchieftothephysician。"Canachemisttell，fromtheparticlesclingingtothishandkerchief，howmanycapsuleshavebeenused？"
　　"Ishouldsayhecould。"Stonelookedgraveasheinspectedthelinen，takingcarefulnoteoftheletter"B"inonecornerofthehandkerchief。"Butthereisthistobeconsidered—Turnbullmaynothavecrushedthosecapsulesallatthesametime。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Hemayhavefeltanattackcomingonearlierintheeveningandusedacapsule，andinthepolicecourtusedthesamehandkerchiefinthesamemanner。"
　　"Isee，"Penfieldnodded。"Thepointiscleverlytaken。"
　　Kentsilentlyagreedwiththecoroner。ThenextinstantStonewasexcused，andafteraslightpausethedeputycoroner，Dr。Mayo，lefthistableandhisnotesandoccupiedthewitnesschair，afterfirstbeingsworn。Thepreliminariesdidnotconsumemuchtime，andPenfield’smannerwasbriskasheaddressedhisassistant。
　　"Didyoumakeapost—mortemexaminationofTurnbull？"heasked。
　　"Idid，sir，inthepresenceofthemorguemasterandDr。McLane。"
　　Dr。Mayodisplayedananatomicalchart，drawinghispencildownitashetalked。"Wefoundfromtheconditionoftheheartthatthedeceasedhadsufferedfromanginapectoris"—hepausedandspokemoreslowly—"inexaminingthegastriccontentswefoundthepresenceofaconitine。"
　　"Aconitine？"questionedPenfield，andthereporters，scentingthesensational，leanedforwardeagerlysoasnottomissthedeputycoroner’sanswer。
　　"Aconitine，anactivepoison，"heexplained。"Itisthealkaloidofaconite，andgenerallyfatalinitsresults。"
　　CHAPTERX
　　ATTHECLUBDEVINGT
　　ThelargebuildingofthepopularClubdeVingt，orasoneWashingtonianputit，the"ClubDeVin，"whichhadsprungintoexistenceintheNationalCapitalduringthewar，wasablazewithlightandBenjaminClymer，sittingatasmalltableinonecornerofthedining—room，wishedmostheartilythatithadbeenlesscrowded。Manydinner—partieswerebeinggiventhatnight，anditwasonlybydintofperseveranceandaTreasurynotethathehadfinallyinducedtheheadwaitertoputinanextratableforhimandhisguest，HarryKent。Kenthadbeenverylateand，toaddtohisshort—comings，hadbeensilent，nottosaymorose，duringdinner。Clymerheavedasighofreliefwhenthetablewasclearedandcoffeeandcigarsplacedbeforethem。
　　Kentrousedhimselffromhisabstraction。"Wecannottalkhere，"
　　hesaid，lookingatthegaydinerswhosurroundedthem。"AndI
　　haveseveralimportantmatterstodiscusswithyou，Mr。Clymer。"
　　Hisremarkwasoverheardbytheirwaiter，andhestoppedpouringoutKent’scoffee。
　　"Thereisasmallsmokingroomtotherightofthediningroom，"
　　hesuggested。"Ipassedtherebutamomentagoanditwasnotoccupied。Ifyoudesire，sir，Iwillservecoffeethere。"
　　"Anexcellentidea。"ClymerrosequicklyandheandKentfollowedthewaitertotheinclosedporchwhichhadbeenconvertedintoanattractiveloungingroomfortheclubmembers。Itwasmuchcoolerthantheover—heateddiningroom，andKentwasgratefulforthesubduedlightgivenoutbytheartisticallyshadedlampswithwhichitwasfurnished。Therewassilencewhilethewaiterwithdeftfingersarrangedthecoffeeandcigarsonawickertable;thenreceivingClymer’sgeneroustipwithawordofthanks，themandeparted。
　　Kentwheeledhischairaroundsoastofacehiscompanionandstillhaveasideviewofthediningroom，wheretableswerebeingrapidlyremovedforthedancewhichfolloweddinnersonThursdaynights。Clymerselectedacigarwithcareand，leaningbackinhischairuntilthewickercreakedunderhisweight，hewaitedpatientlyforKenttospeak。ItwasfullyfiveminutesbeforeKentaddressedhim。
　　"SoJamesTurnbullwaspoisonedafterall，"hecommented。"AweekagoIwouldhaveswornthatJimmiehadn’tanenemyintheworld。"
　　"Ah，buthehad;andaverybittervindictiveenemy，iftheevidencegivenatthecoroner’sinquestthisafternoonistobebelieved，"
　　repliedClymerseriously。"Thecaseisremarkablypuzzling。"
　　"Itis。"Kentbitsavagelyathiscigarasaslightventtohisfeelings。"’Killedbyadoseofaconitinebyapersonorpersonsunknown，’wasthejury’sverdict，andanicetangletheyhaveleftmetoferretout。’’
　　"You？"
　　"Yes。I’mgoingtosolvethismysteryifitisapossiblething。"
　　Kent’stonewasgrim。"AndColonelMcIntyreonlygavemeuntilSaturdaynighttoworkin。"
　　Clymereyedhiminsurprise。"McIntyredesirestogetbackhislostsecurities;judgingfromhiscommentsaftertheinquest，heisnotparticularlyinterestedinwhokilledTurnbull。"
　　"ButIam，"exclaimedKent。"ThemoreIthinkofit，themoreconvincedIamthattheforgedletter，withthesubsequentdisappearanceofMcIntyre’ssecuritieshassomeconnectionwithJimmie’suntimelydeath，beitmurderorsuicide。"
　　"Suicide？"Clymer’sraisedeyebrowsindicatedhissurprise。
　　"Yes，"shortly。"Aconitinewouldhavekilledjustassurelyifswallowedwithsuicidalintentasifadministeredwithmurderousdesign。"
　　Apausefollowedwhichneithermanseemedanxioustobreak，thenKentturnedtothebanker，andthelatternoticedthehaggardlinesinhisface。
　　"Listentome，Mr。Clymer，"hebegan。"MyinstincttellsmethatJimmieTurnbullneverforgedthatletterorstoleMcIntyre’ssecurities，butIadmitthateverythingpointstohisguilt，evenhisdeath。"
　　"Howso？"
　　"Becausethetheftofthesecuritiessuppliesamotiveforhissuicide—fearofexposureandimprisonment，"arguedKent。"Butthereisnomotive，sofarasIcansee，forJimmie’smurder。
　　Mendon’tkilleachotherwithoutamotive。"Thereishomicidalmania，"suggestedClymer。
　　"Butnotinthiscase，"retortedKent。"WearesanemenanditisuptoustofindoutifJimmiediedbyhisownhandorwaskilledbysomeunknownenemy。’’
　　"Resteasy，Mr。Kent，"saidavoicefromthedoorwayandKent，whohadturnedhisbackinthatdirectionthebettertotalktoClymer，whirledaroundandfoundDetectiveFergusonregardinghimjustinsidethethreshold。"Mr。Turnbull’senemyisnotunknownandwillsoonbeunderarrest。"
　　"Whoishe？"demandedClymerandKentsimultaneously。
　　"PhilipRochester。"
　　Clymerwasthefirsttorecoverfromhisastonishment。"Oh，getout！"heexclaimedincredulously。"Why，RochesterwasTurnbull’smostintimatefriend。"
　　"Untiltheyfellinlovewiththesamegirl，"answeredFergusonsuccinctly，takingpossessionoftheonlyotherchairtheporchboasted。"OnequarrelledtoanotherandthenRochesterdidforhim。Oh，itdove—tailsnicely;motive，jealousanger;opportunity，recognitionincourtofTurnbulldisguisedasaburglar，atthesametimeRochesterlearnsthatTurnbullhasbeencaughtaftermidnightinthehouseofhissweetheart—"
　　"D—mnyou！"Kentsprangforthedetective’sthroat。"Cutoutyourabominableinsinuations。MissMcIntyreshallnotbeinsulted。"
　　"I’mnotinsultingher，"gaspedFerguson，halfstrangled。"Letgo，Mr。Kent。I’monlytellingyouwhatthathalfcrazypartnerofyours，Rochester，wasprobablythinkinginthepolicecourt。Letgo，Isay。"
　　Clymeraidedthedetectiveinfreeinghimself。"Sitdown，Kent，"
　　hesaidsternly。"Fergusonmeantnooffense。Goahead，man，andtellustherestofyourtheories。"
　　Itwassomeminutes，however，beforethedetectivehadcollectedsufficientbreathtoanswerintelligently。
　　"Isizeitupthisway，"hebeganwitharesentfulglanceatKentwhohaddroppedbackinhischairagain。"Rochesterknewhisfriendhadheartdiseaseandthathissuddendeathwouldbeattributedtoit—sohetookasportingchanceandadministeredafataldoseofaconitine。"
　　"Howwasitdone？"askedClymer。
　　"JustslippedthepoisonintotheglassofwaterhehandedtoTurnbullinthecourtroom，"explainedFerguson，andglancedintriumphatKent。"Neat，wasn’tit？"
　　Kentregardedthedetective，hismindinawhirl。Histheorywascertainlyplausible，but—"Haveyouotherevidencetoprove，yourtheory？"heasked。
　　"Yes。"Fergusoncheckedoffhispointsonhisfingers。"RememberhowinsistentMr。RochesterwasthatTurnbullhaddiedfromanginapectoris？"
　　"Ido，"acknowledgedClymer，deeplyinterested。"Continue，Ferguson。"
　　Thedetectiveneedednosecondbidding。
　　"Anotherpoint，"hebegan。"Thereneverwouldhavebeenapost—mortemexaminationifMissHelenMcIntyrehadn’taskedforit。Sheknewoftheill—feelingbetweenthemenandsuspectedfoulplayonRochester’spart。"
　　"Wait，"commandedKent。"HasMissMcIntyresubstantiatedthatstatement？"
　　"Notyet，"admittedFerguson。"Istoppedatherhouse，butthebutlersaidtheyoungladieshadretiredandcouldnotseeanyone。"Kent，whohadcalledthereonthewaytokeephisdinnerengagementwithClymer，hadbeenmetwiththesamestatement，tohisbitterdisappointment。Hemostearnestlydesiredtoseethetwinsandtoseethemtogether，tomakeonemoreefforttoinducethemtoconfideinhim;forthattheyhadsomesecrettroublehewasconvinced;helongedtobeofaid，buthishandsweretiedthroughlackofinformation。
　　"Don’timplymotivestoMissMcIntyre’sactuntilyouhaveverifiedthem，Ferguson，"hecautioned。"Goonwithyourtheories。"
　　"Onemoment，"Clymerbrokeintotheconversation。"DidRochestertellyou，Ferguson，thathehadrecognizedTurnbullinhisburglardisguise？"
　　"No，sir;Ineverhadanopportunitytoaskhim，forhedisappearedTuesdaynightandhasnotbeenseenorheardofsince，"Fergusonrejoined。
　　"Holdon，"Kentcheckedhimwithanimpatientgesture。"IhadatelegramfromRochesterthismorning，statinghewasinCleveland。"
　　"Ididn’tforgetaboutthetelegram，"retortedFerguson。"Itwastoconsultyouaboutthat，thatIhuntedyouupto—night。Thattelegramwasbogus。"
　　"What！"Kenthalfrosefromhischair。
　　"Yes。AftertheinquestIcalledClevelandonthelongdistance，talkedwiththeCityClubofficialsandwithPoliceHeadquarters;
　　alldeclaredthatRochesterwasnotthere，andnotracecouldbefoundofhishavingeverarrivedinthecity。"
　　Clymerlaiddownhishalfsmokedcigarandstaredatthedetective。
　　"YouthinkthenthatRochesterhasbolted？"heasked。
　　"Itlooksthatway，"insistedFerguson。"Howaboutit，Mr。Kent？"
　　Thequestionwasputwithatouchofarrogance。
　　Kentdidnotreplyimmediately。EveryfactthatFergusonhadbroughtoutfittedthesituation，andRochester’sdisappearanceaddedcolortothedetective’scharges。Whywashehidingunlessfromguiltymotives，andwherehadhegone？Kentshookabewilderedhead。
　　"Itisplausible，"heconceded，"but，afterall，onlycircumstantialevidence。"
　　"Well，circumstantialevidenceisgoodenoughformetoworkon，"
　　retortedFerguson。"OndiscoveringthatthetelegramfromClevelandwasahoax，IconcludedFergusonmightbelurkingaroundWashingtonandsosentadescriptionofhimtothedifferentprecinctsandsecuredasearchwarrant。"
　　"Youdid？"
　　"Yes。ArmedwithitIvisitedMr。Rochester’sapartment，butcouldn’tfindaclewtohispresentwhereabouts，"admittedFerguson。
　　"SothenIwenttoyouroffice，Mr。Kent，andransackedthefirm’ssafe。"
　　"Confoundyou！"Kentleanedforwardinhiswrathandshookhisfistatthedetective。"Whatrighthadyoutodosuchathing？"
　　"Thesearchwarrantcoveredit，"explainedFerguson。"Icouldlookthroughyoursafe，Mr。Kent，becauseRochesterwasyourseniorpartnerandyousharedtheofficetogether;Iwaswithinthelaw。"
　　"Perhapsyouwere，"Kentcontrolledhisangerwithaneffort。"ButIhadtoldyouIdidnotknowRochester’swhereaboutsbeforeI
　　showedyoutheClevelandtelegram，whichyouclaimisbogus。"
　　"It’sbogus，allright，"insistedthedetective。"IthoughtitjustpossibleImightfindsomepaperwhichwouldgivemeaclewtoRochester’shidingplace，soIwentthroughthesafe。"
　　"Howdidyougetitopen？"askedKent。
　　"Ifounditopen。"
　　Kentleapttohisfeet。"You—found—itopen！"—hestammered。
　　"Why，man，IlockedthatsafesecurelyjustbeforeIlefttheofficeatsixo’clock。"
　　Sure？"
　　Absolutelycertain。"
　　"Wereyoualone？"
　　"Yes，allalone。Sylvesterleftatfiveo’clock"
　　"Whoknewthecombinationofthesafe？"
　　"OnlyRochesterandI。"
　　ItwasFerguson’sturntospringup"By—！"heexclaimed。"Ithoughttheelectricbulbsintheofficefeltwarm，asiftheyhadrecentlybeenburning—Rochestermusthavebeentherejustbeforeme。"
　　"ItwouldseemthatRochesterisstillinthecity，"remarkedClymer。
　　"Doyouknow，Kent，whetherhehadhisofficekeyswithhim？"
　　"Ipresumeso，"Kentslippedhishandinsidehispocketandtookoutabunchofkeys。"Helefttheseduplicatesinhisdeskattheoffice。"
　　"Suretheyareduplicates？"questionedFerguson，andKentflushed。
　　"Iknowtheyare，"heretorted。"Rochesterhadthemmadeoverayearagoasamatterofconvenience，forhewasalwaysforgettinghiskeys，andkepttheseatouroffice。"
　　"He’saqueercuss，"wasthedetective’sonlycommentandClymerbrokeintotheconversation。
　　"Didyoufindanyaddressorpaperinthesafewhichmightproveaclew，Ferguson？"heinquired。
　　"Nothing，notevenascrapofpaper，"andthedetective’stonewasglum。
　　"Didthesafelookasifitscontentshadbeentumbledabout？"
　　askedKent。
　　"No，everythingseemedinorder。"Fergusonthrusthishandinsidehiscoatpocket。"Therewasoneenvelopeintherighthandcompartmentwhichpuzzledme—"
　　"Holdon—wasthatcompartmentalsounlocked？"askedKent。
　　"Itwas，"notgivingKenttimetospeakagainFergusoncontinuedhisremarks。"AsthiswasunaddressedIbroughtittoyou，Mr。
　　Kent，toaskifitwasyourpersonalproperty"—hedrewoutthewhiteenvelopewhichHelenMcIntyrehadbroughtKentthatmorningandturneditoversothatbothmencouldseethelargeredsealbearingtheletter"B。"
　　"Itismyproperty，"assertedKentinstantly。
　　"Wouldyoumindopeningit？"askedFerguson。
　　"Iwould，mostcertainly;itrelatestomypersonalaffairs。"
　　Fergusonlookedatriflenon—plussed。"Wouldyoumindtellingmeitscontents，Mr。Kent？"heaskedpersuasively。
　　Kentregardedthedetectivesquarely。HecouldnotbetrayHelen，theenvelopemightcontainharmlessnonsense，butshehadplaceditinhissafe—keeping—no，confoundit，shehadleftitinthesafeforRochester—andRochesterwasapparentlyafugitivefromjustice，whilecircumstantialevidencepointedtohishavingpoisonedHelen’slover，Jimmie……
　　"Ifyoumustknow，Ferguson，"Kentspokewithdeliberation。"Theyareoldlovelettersofmine。"
　　Clymerglanceddownattheenvelopewhichthedetectivestillheld，theredsealmakingadistinctblotchofcoloronthewhite，glazedsurface。
　　"Ah，Kent，"hesaidinamusement。"SorumorisrightinpredictingyourengagementtoBarbaraMcIntyre。Goodlucktoyou！"
　　Throughtheopendoorwaytothediningroomwherethedancinghadceasedforthemoment，cameasoftlaughandMrs。Brewsterlookedinatthem。McIntyre，standinglikehershadow，gazedincuriosityoverhershoulderatthethreemen。
　　"Howjollytofindyou，"cooedMrs。Brewster。"Andwhatacharmingretreat！It’smuchtoonicetobeoccupiedbymen，only。"SheinclinedherheadinalittlegraciousbowtoFergusonandsteppedinside。
　　"Havemychair，"suggestedClymerhospitablyastheprettywidowraisedherlorgnetteandscannedtheOrientalhangingsandlamps，andlastly，thewhiteenvelopewhichlayonthetable，redsealuppermost，whereFergusonhadplaceditonherentrance。
　　"Areyourdaughtershere，ColonelMcIntyre？"askedKentashetookasteptowardthetable。McIntyre’sanswerwasdrownedinanoutburstofcheeringinthediningroomandtherushofmanyfeet。
　　OncommonimpulseKentandtheothersturnedtowardthedoorwayandlookedinsidethediningroom。TwoofficersoftheFrenchHighCommissionwerebeingheldontheshouldersofcomradesandweredelivering，asbesttheycouldamidstcheersandapplause，theirfarewelltohospitableWashington。
　　Ashiscompanionsbrushedbyhimtojointhegaythronginthecenteroftheroom，Kentturnedbacktopickuptheenvelopehehadleftlyingonthetable。Itwasgone。
　　InfeverishhasteKentlookedunderthetable，underthechairs，theloungeanditscushions，behindthedraperies，andevenundertherugswhichcoveredtheflooroftheporch，andthenroseandstaredintothediningroom。Whichoneofhiscompanionshadtakentheenvelope？
　　Outsidetheporchthebeautifultrumpetvine，itssturdytrunkandthickbranchesreachingalmosttotheroofoftheclubbuilding，rustledasinahighwind，andthebranchesswayedthiswayandthatasafigureclimbedswiftlydownfromtheporchuntil，reachingthefenceseparatingtheclubpropertyfromitsneighbor’s，themanswungacrossit，nomeanathleticfeet，andtakingadvantageofeachshelteringshadow，dartedintothealleyandfromtheredownsilent，desertedNineteenthStreet。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　HALFATRUTH
　　DancingwasbeingresumedinthediningroomasKentappearedagaininthedoorwayandhemadehiswayasquicklyaspossibleamongthecouples，goingintoalltheroomsonthatfloor，butnowherecouldhefindDetectiveFerguson。Onemergingfromthedrawingroom，heencounteredthestewardreturningfromdownstairs。
　　"HaveyouseenMr。Clymer？"heaskedhurriedly。
　　"Yes，Mr。Kent;hejustlefttheclub，takingDetectiveFergusonwithhiminhismotor。IsthereanythingIcando？"addedthestewardobservingKent’sagitation。
　　"No，no，thanks。Say，whereisColonelMcIntyre？"Kentgaveupfurtherpursuitofthedetective，hecouldfindhimlateratHeadquarters。Thestewardlookedamongthedancers。"Idon’tseehim，"hesaid，"ButthereisMrs。Brewsterdancinginthefrontroom;theColonelmustbesomewherearound。IfImeethim，Mr。Kent，shallItellhimyouarelookingforhim？"
　　"Iwillbegreatlyobligedifyouwilldoso，"repliedKent，andstraighteninghistie，hewentinquestoftheprettywidow。Hehadfoundheramerrychatter—boxinthepast，possiblyhecouldgainvaluableinformationfromher。HefoundMrs。BrewsterjustcompletingherdancewithafinelookingItalianofficerwhosebroadbreastboremanymilitarydecorations。
　　"Dancetheencorewithme"—Kentcouldbeverypersuasivewhenhewished，andMrs。Brewsterdimpledwithpleasure，buttherewasafaintindecisioninhermannerwhichhewasquicktonote。Whatpromptedit？Hehadbeenonfriendlytermswithher;infact，shehadopenlychampionedhiscause，soBarbarahadoncetoldhim，whenColonelMcIntyrehadmadecausticremarksabouthisfrequentcallsattheMcIntyrehouse。
　　"Justoneturn，"shesaid，astheforeignerbowedandwithdrew。"I
　　amfeelingalittlewearyto—night—thestrainoftheinquest，"she，addedinexplanation。
　　"Perhapsyouwouldrathersitoutthedance，"hesuggested。"Thereisanalcoveinthatwindow;oh，pshaw！"asamanandagirltookpossessionofthechairs。
　　"Nevermind，wecanroostonthestairs，"Mrs。Brewsterprecededhimtothestaircaseleadingtothethirdfloor，andsatdown，bracingherbackverycomfortablyagainsttherailing，whileKentseatedhimselfatherfeetonthelowerstep。"Extraordinarydevelopmentsattheinquestthisafternoon，"hebegan，asshevolunteerednoremark。"TothinkofJimmieTurnbullbeingpoisoned！"
　　"Itisunbelievable，"shesaid，andhervehemencewasasurprisetoKent;heknewherasallfrothandbubble。Whathadbroughtthedarkcirclesunderhereyesandtheunwontedseriousnessinhermanner？
　　"Unbelievable，yes，"heagreedgravely。"Buttrue;theautopsyendedalldoubt。"
　　"Youmeanitdevelopeddoubt，"shecorrected，andasighaccompaniedthewords。"Havethepoliceanyclewtotheguiltyman？"
　　"Idon’tknow，I’msure，"Kentspokewithcaution。
　　"Youdon’t？"Hervoicewasalittlesharp。"Didn’tDetectiveFergusongiveyouanynewswhentalkingtoyouontheporch？"
　　"Soyourecognizedthedetective？"
　　"I？No;Ihaveneverseenhimbefore"—shenoddedgaylytoanacquaintancepassingthroughthehall。"ColonelMcIntyretoldmehisname。ItwassooddtomeetamanherenotineveningclothesthatIhadtoaskwhohewas。"
　　"Fergusoncametobringmesomepapersaboutapersonalmatter，"
　　explainedKent。Heturnedsoastofaceher。"Didyouseeawhiteenvelopelyingonthetablewhenyouwalkedoutontheporch？"
　　Shebowedherheadabsently，herfootkeepingtimetotheinspiringmusicplayedbytheorchestrastationedonthestairlandingjustabovewheretheysat。"Youleftitlyingonthetable。"
　　"Yes，soIdid，"repliedKent。"AndIbelieveIwassoungallantastoboltintothediningroominfrontofyou。Pleaseacceptmyapologies。"Behindherfan，whichsheusedwithlanguidgrace，thewidowwatchedhim。
　　"Weallboltedtogether，"sheresponded，"andareequallyguilty—"
　　"Ofwhat？"questionedavoicefromthebackground，andlookingupKentsawColonelMcIntyrestandingonthestepaboveMrs。Brewster。
　　Themusichadceasedandinthelulltheirconversationhadbeendistinctlyaudible。
　　"Guiltyofcuriosity，"finishedthewidow。
　　"ColoneldeGeofroy’sfarewellspeechwasveryamusing，didyounotthinkso？"
　　"Ididnotstaytohearit，"Kentconfessed。"Ihadtoreturntotheporchandgetmyenvelope。"
　　"Youwerealongtimeaboutit，"commentedMcIntyre，sittingdownbyMrs。Brewsterandpossessinghimselfofherfan。"IwaitedtotellyouthatHelenandBarbarawerewornoutaftertheinquestandsostayedathometo—night，butyoudidn’tshowup。"
　　"Neitherdidtheenvelope，"retortedKent，andashiscompanionslookedathim，headded。"Ithaddisappearedoffthetable。"
　　"Probablyblewaway，"suggestedMcIntyre。"Inoticedastrongcurrentofairfromthediningroom，andtwoofthewindowsinclosingtheporchwereopen。
　　"That’shardlypossible，"Kentrepliedskeptically。"Theenvelopeweighedatleasttwoounces;itwouldhavetakenquiteagaletobudgeit。"
　　McIntyreturnedred。"Areyouinsinuatingthatoneofuswalkedoffwithyourenvelope，Kent？"hedemandedangrily。Mrs。Brewsterstayedhimashewasabouttorise。
　　"DidyounotsaythatDetectiveFergusonbroughtyoutheenvelope，Mr。Kent？"sheasked。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Thenwhatmorelikelythanthathecarrieditoffagain？"ShesmiledamusedlyasKent’sexpressionaltered。"Whynotaskthedetective？"
　　Hersuggestionheldagrainoftruth。SupposeFergusonhadnotbelievedhisstatementthatthepapersintheenvelopewerehispersonalpropertyandhadtakentheenvelopeawaytoexamineitathisleisure？ThethoughtbroughtKenttohisfeet。
　　"Goodnight，Mrs。SherlockHolmes，"hesaidjestingly，"I’llfollowyouradvice—Therewasnoopportunitytosaymore，forseveralmenhaddiscoveredthewidow’sperchonthestairsandcametoclaimtheirdances。OvertheirheadsMcIntyrewatchedKentstridedownstairs，thenstoopingoverhepickedupMrs。
　　Brewster’sfanandsatdowntopatientlyawaitherreturn。
　　Kent’spursuitofthedetectivetooklongerthanhehadanticipated，anditwasaftermidnightbeforehefinallylocatedhimattheofficeoftheChiefofDetectivesintheDistrictBuilding。"I’vecalledfortheenvelopeyoutookfrommysafeearlythisevening，"
　　hebeganwithoutpreface，hardlywaitingforthelatter’ssurprisedgreeting。
　　"Why，Mr。Kent，Ileftitlyingontheporchtableattheclub，"
　　declaredFerguson。"Didn’tyoutakeit？"
　　"No。"Kent’sworriedexpressionreturned。"LikeafoolIforgottheenvelopewhenthatcheeringbrokeoutinthediningroomandrushedtofindoutwhatitwasabout;whenIreturnedtotheporchtheenvelopewasgone。
　　"Disappeared？"questionedFergusoninastonishment。
　　"Disappearedabsolutely;Isearchedtheporchthoroughlyandcouldn’tfindatraceofit，"Kentexplained。"AndinspiteofMcIntyre’scontentionthatitmighthaveblownoutofthewindow，Iamcertainitdidnot。"
　　"Thewindowswereopen，andIrecollecttherewasastrongdraught，"
　　remarkedFergusonthoughtfully。"Butnotsufficienttocarryawaythatenvelope。"
　　"Exactly。"Kentsteppedcloser。"Didyouobservewhichoneofourcompanionsstoodnearesttheporchtable？"
　　Fergusoneyedhimcuriously。"Say，areyouinsinuatingthatoneofthosepeopletookyourenvelope？"
　　"Yes。"
　　AsubduedwhistleescapedFerguson。"Whatwasinthatenvelope。
　　Mr。Kent，"hedemanded，"tomakeitofanyvaluetothatbunch？"andasKentdidnotanswerimmediately，headded，"AreyousureithadnothingtodowithJimmieTurnbull’sdeathandPhilipRochester’sdisappearance？"
　　"Quitesure。"Kent’sgazedidnotwaverbeforehispenetratinglook。
　　"Ihavealreadytoldyouthattheenvelopecontainedoldloveletters，andIverynaturallydonotwishthemtofallintothehandsofColonelMcIntyre，thefatherofthegirlIhopetomarry。"
　　Fergusonsmiledunderstandingly。"Isee。FromwhatIknowofColonelMcIntyrethere’saverynarrow，naggingspiritconcealedunderhisfrankandengagingmanner;Iwishyoujoyofyourfuturefather—in—law，"andhechuckled。
　　"Thanks，"dryly。"Youhaven’tansweredmyquestionastowhostoodnearesttheporchtable，Ferguson。"
　　Thedetectivelookedthoughtful。"Weallstoodfairlynear;perhapsMrs。Brewsterwasashadethenearest。Mr。Clymerwasofferingherachairwhenthatnoisecamefromthediningroom。There’sonethingIamwillingtoswearto"—hismannergrewmoreearnest—"thatenvelopewasstilllyingonthetablewhenIhustledintothediningroom。"
　　"Well，whowasthelastpersontoleavetheporch？"Kentdemandedeagerly。
　　"Idon’tknow，"wasthedisappointinganswer。"Ireachedthedooratthesamemomentyoudidandpassedrightaroundthediningroomtogetaviewofwhatwasgoingon。IthoughtIwouldtakeasquintatthetablesandseeiftherewasanywinebeingused，"headmitted。
　　"Buttherewasnothingdoinginthatline。ThenMr。ClymerofferedtobringmedowntoHeadquarters，andIlefttheclubwithhim。"
　　Kenttookaturnabouttheroom。"DidMr。ClymergototheCosmosClub？"heasked，pausingbythedetective。
　　"No，IheardhimtellhischauffeurtodrivetotheSaratoga。Wanttousethetelephone？"observingKent’sglancestraytotheinstrument。
　　BywayofanswerKenttookoffthereceiverandaftergivinganumbertoCentral，herecognizedClymer’svoiceoverthetelephone。
　　"Thatyou，Mr。Clymer？Yes，well，thisisKentspeaking。CanyoutellmewhowasthelastpersontoleavetheporchwhenColoneldeGeofroymadehisfarewellspeechto—nightattheclub？"
　　"Iwas，"cameClymer’ssurprisedanswer。
　　"IwaitedforMcIntyretopickupMrs。Brewster’sfan。"
　　"Didhetakemyletteroffthetablealso？"calledKent。
　　"Why，no。"Clymer’svoicetestifiedtohisincreasedsurprise。
　　"Mrs。BrewsterdroppedherfanrightinthedoorwayjustasMcIntyreandIapproached;webothstoopedtogetitand，likefools;bumpedourheadstogetherintheact。Hegotthefan，however，andI
　　waitedforhimtowalkintothediningroombeforefollowingMrs。
　　Brewster。"
　　"Asyoupassedthetable，Mr。Clymer，didyouseemyletterlyingonthetable？"persistedKent。
　　"UponmywordIneverlookedatthetable，"Clymer’sheartytonecarriedconviction。"Iwalkedrightalonginmyhurrytoknowwhatthecheeringwasabout。Iamsorry，Kent;haveyoumislaidyourletter？"
　　"Yes，"glumly。"Sorrytohavedisturbedyou，Mr。Clymer;goodnight，"andClymer’sechoing，"Goodnight"soundedfaintlyashehungupthereceiver。
　　"Drewblank，"heannounced，turningtoFerguson。"Confoundyou，Ferguson;youbadnorighttotouchthepapersinmysafe。Ifharmcomesfromit，I’llmakeyousuffer，"andnotwaitingforthedetective’sjumbledapologiesandexplanations，hehurriedfromthebuilding。Butonceonthesidewalkhepausedforthought。McIntyremusthavepickedupthewhiteenvelope，therewasnootherfeasibleexplanationofitsdisappearance。Butwhathadattractedhisattentiontotheenvelope—theredsealwiththebigletter"B"
　　wasitsonlyidentifyingmark。IfHelenhadonlytoldhimthecontentsoftheenvelope！
　　Kentstruckhisclenchedfistinhislefthandinwrath;somethingmustbedone，hecouldnotstandthereallnight。Althoughitwasthroughnofaultofhisownthathehadlosttheenvelopeentrustedtohiscare，hewasstillresponsibletoHelenforitsdisappearance。Shemustbetoldthatitwasgone，howeverunpleasantthetask。
　　KentwalkedhastilyalongPennsylvaniaAvenueuntilhecametoadrugstorestillopen，andenteredthetelephonebooth。Hehadrecollectedthatthetwinshadabranchtelephoneintheirsittingroom;hewouldhavetochancetheirbeingawakeatthathour。
　　BarbaraMcIntyreturnedonherpillowandrubbedhersleepyeyes;
　　surelyshehadbeenmistakeninthinkingsheheardthetelephonebellringing。Evenasshelaystrivingtolisten，shedozedoffagain，toberudelyawakenedbyHelen’svoiceatherear。
　　"Babs！"cametheagitatedwhisper。"Theenvelope’sgone。"
　　"Gone！"Barbaraswungoutofbed。
　　"Gonewhere？"
　　"Fatherhasit。"
　　DownstairsinthelibraryMrs。BrewsterpausedonherentrancebythesideofapieceofcarvedVenetianfurnitureandlayinghercoronationscarfonit，sheexaminedawhiteenvelope—theredsealwasintact。
　　Atthesoundofapproachingfootstepssheraisedatrapdoorinthepieceoffurnitureandonlyherkeenearscaughtthefaintthudoftheenvelopeasitdroppedinside，thenwithahappy，tendersmilesheturnedtomeetColonelMcIntyre。