not notice. I think he began to examine the things in Mr.
Ashton's portmanteau."

"Then, Mr. Morgan, if, occupied as you were in the most natural duty of
determining whether or not you could render any aid to Mr. Ashton, you
did not notice Major Temple's movements, I fail to see how you are in a
position to swear to anything regarding the condition of the window at
the time you entered the room."

"Your suggestion is impossible, Sergeant McQuade. Had Major Temple
bolted the window, I should certainly have noticed it. I realize fully
the train of reasoning you are following and I am convinced that you are
wrong."

The Sergeant smiled slightly. "I do not follow any one train of
reasoning," he retorted, "nor do I intend to neglect any one. I want the
truth, and I intend to have it." He left the roof hurriedly, and,
entering the house we descended to the library, where Major Temple sat
awaiting the conclusion of our investigations.

"Well, Mr. Morgan," he inquired excitedly as we came in, "what have you
discovered?"

I nodded toward the Sergeant. "Mr. McQuade can perhaps tell you," I
replied.

"I can tell you more, Major Temple," said the detective, gravely, "if
you will first let me have a few words with Miss Temple."

"With my daughter?" exclaimed the Major, evidently much surprised.

"Yes," answered the detective, with gravity.

"I'll go and get her," said the Major, rising excitedly.

"If you do not mind, Major Temple, I should much prefer to have you send
one of the servants for her. I have a particular reason for desiring you
to remain here."

I thought at first that Major Temple was going to resent this, but,
although he flushed hotly, he evidently thought better of it, for he
strode to a call bell and pressed it, then, facing the detective,
exclaimed:

"I think you would do better to question Li Min."

"I do not intend to omit doing that, as well," replied McQuade,
imperturbably.

We remained in uneasy silence until the maid, who had answered the bell,
returned with Miss Temple, who, dismissing her at the door, faced us
with a look upon her face of unfeigned surprise. She appeared pale and
greatly agitated. I felt that she had not slept, and the dark circles
under her eyes confirmed my belief. She looked about, saw our grave
faces, then turned to her father. "You sent for me, Father?" she
inquired, nervously.

"Sergeant McQuade here"--he indicated the detective whom Miss Temple
recognized by a s