i Min might have
been able to open the window of the dead man's room, enter, commit the
murder and rebolt the window behind him after he had left. If he could
establish this, he felt sure that he could send Li Min to the gallows. I
was requested by Major Temple, who seemed much broken in health and
spirits by the events of the past few days, to accompany him and his
daughter back to The Oaks, an invitation of which I was by no means slow
to avail myself. The poor girl was greatly upset, and very much tired
out, and we made haste to get her home as quickly as possible. I was too
sick of the whole matter of Mr. Ashton's death to discuss it, although
the Major broached the subject several times on our way back. I wanted
to get Miss Temple home, where I hoped for an opportunity to have a talk
with her, and to show in some way my appreciation of her efforts in my
behalf, and her trip to London to see me. I had wired the caretaker at
my studio in town early that morning to send me down some clothes, and I
hoped to be able to appear at dinner in a more presentable costume than
the walking suit which I had been forced to wear, throughout my
remarkable series of adventures, for the past five days.

It was close to five o'clock when we arrived home, and I found my
belongings awaiting me. I was given the same room that I had previously
occupied and, when I appeared at dinner at eight, I felt like a human
being for the first time since I had entered Major Temple's door. I was
glad to see that both the Major and his daughter were much rested, and
we sat down to dinner with some show of cheerfulness, Miss Temple
looking especially charming in a green silk evening gown which to my
artist's eyes made her a picture that I longed to put on canvas. I told
her so, and we were soon discussing pictures, and art generally, at a
lively rate. Only the Major seemed depressed, and I imagine this came
from his regret at the loss of the wonderful emerald Buddha. He did not
refer to it in any way, but I was conscious of a far-away look in his
eyes which spoke volumes. What had become of the jewel, I did not know,
but I fancied that McQuade's hurried trip to London had something to do
with the search his men were making for the lost underground temple of
Buddha and thought it more than likely that I would know more about it
when he returned the next day.

We passed an hour very pleasantly at table, and after dinner Major
Temple excused himself upon