,
Kirk, this bit of card, in the very center of the polished top,--it
must have dropped there afterwards."

"Exactly," said Ashton-Kirk. "And now, if you don't mind, just step
out into the hall and ask Paulson to come up."

Pendleton did so; and while he was gone, Ashton-Kirk placed the red
fragment carefully in his card-case. When the other re-entered with
Paulson at his heels, he asked:

"Have any of the policemen detailed here been out of town recently?"

"No," replied Paulson. "There have been five besides myself, and they
have been on duty every day."

"Thank you," said the investigator. And as the policeman went out, he
made his way into the kitchen. Here, however, his examination was
brief, as was that of the bedroom also. At length he paused, his hands
in his pockets, his head thrown back, satisfaction lighting his dark,
keen face.

"That is all, I think," said he. "There have only been a few pages,
but the print has been exceedingly good and the matter of much
interest." He looked at a clock that ticked solemnly upon a shelf. "We
have half an hour to reach my place and dress," he said. "I'm afraid
that we'll be late, and that Edouard will be annoyed. His cookery is
so exquisitely timed that it is scarcely the better for delay."

"Wait a minute," said Pendleton, grasping his friend's arm. "What part
did Edyth--Miss Vale--play in all this? I can see you have formed in
your mind some sort of completed action. Where does she come into it?"

"Completed!" Ashton-Kirk smiled into the pale, set face of his friend.
"You give me too much credit, old chap. I have some undoubted scenes
from the drama; but most of the remainder are merely detached lines
and bits of stage business. As to Miss Vale," here the smile vanished,
"I have been unable to make up my mind just how far she is concerned,
if at all. However, perhaps twenty-four hours will make it all clear
enough. In the meantime I will say this to you: Don't jump to harsh
conclusions, Pen. You know this young lady well. How far do you
suppose she would go to the perpetrating of a downright crime?"

"Not a step!" answered Pendleton, promptly.

"Then," said Ashton-Kirk, "until we know positively that she has done
so, stick to that."

CHAPTER VII

THE SCHWARTZ-MICHAEL BAYONET

As Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton sat in the former's library that evening
after dinner, there came a knock upon the door and Fuller entered
briskly. In his hand he carried a pape