me_ when he has a spell like this. But
he's not at all dangerous. It is just necessary to humor him--he's not
to blame--it's the way he was raised."

"Then you're looking out for him?" and the detective looked furtively
toward the door, as he reassured himself by fumbling with the revolver
in his own hip-pocket.

"Yes, that's my job."

The big sleuth shook his head sadly.

"I'm sorry I had to be rough with him, like that, miss. But you seen as
well as I did that he was gumming the game. Why, with some boob
detectives that I know, a feller like that might queer the crowd of
you--making it look as though you was implicated." He looked into the
ubiquitous notebook. "One question more. How do you account for the
blood on the knob of the door--from the _inside_, too?"

The girl was honestly surprised this time.

"Blood on my door? Why--I----?

"I can explain that, Inspector."

"Go ahead, then, Doctor."

"Do you mind?" and the Kentuckian turned politely toward the girl. She
shook her head, wondering what could be in his mind.

"You see, that colored man--the one you were talking about--brought the
bundle there. He tied it up and, cutting the string carelessly, broke
the blade of the knife and cut his hand. That was it, wasn't it? You
see the long blade snapped off near the handle."

The detective nodded--not completely convinced.

"Where is this colored man now?" was his question.

It seemed to Maria Theresa that they were getting hopelessly into the
toils. She was discouraged, as she glanced at the imperturbable Jarvis.
He nodded ever so slightly, and she caught her cue.

"He is in stateroom 729," she said.

"All right. I'll look at him. 729? Thanks, miss. You know, this ain't
personal at all. I'm just taking the chief's orders. I'm sorry to
bother you."

He walked toward the door with the dignified flat-footed gait which
distinguishes the Manhattan sleuth and all others in the world.

"Good-by, miss. Watch that maniac, do! He looks like a bad actor to
me."

They were gone, and Maria Theresa sank into a chair weakly. Jarvis
energetically sprang to the telephone.

"Hello! Give me room 729."

After a pause he continued: "Hello, hello, hello, Rusty! Yes, Rusty.
Damn it all, answer me, do you hear me?"

There was another pause, and the girl began to lose her control again.

"Yes, I know I told you to keep mum, but I'm telling you to talk now."
Jarvis knew that every second was precious. "Do just what