e latter the cook. Erin was
represented by a red-haired girl who was the housemaid. All of them
were horrified when told their master had been murdered, but none of
them could shed any light on the tragedy. They had all been in bed
long before midnight, and had not been disturbed by any of the noises
of the night.

This could be the more readily understood when, as a little
investigation showed, we found that they had all slept with doors
locked and windows closed and shuttered. Any sounds from the house
would really have to penetrate two doors to reach them, for their
rooms were at the end of an entry, closed by an outer door. As to the
windows, it was the rule of the house that they should always be
closed and tightly shuttered during the night. They knew of no
especial reason for the rule, though the Irish girl remarked that,
with heathen in the house and lunatics, there was no telling how the
nights were spent.

They were all evidently innocent of any connection with the tragedy;
but Goldberger, for some ridiculous reason, brought them downstairs
with him and made them look at their master's body. This had no result
except to send the Irish girl into hysterics, and Hinman for a few
minutes had another patient on his hands.

"Well," said Goldberger, passing his hand wearily across his forehead,
"I guess there's nothing more to be done. And I'm dead tired. I had
just got to bed when Simmonds called me. I'll set the inquest for ten
o'clock to-morrow morning, and I'll hold it here in this room. We'll
want you here, Mr. Godfrey, and you, Mr. Lester. And--oh, yes," he
added suddenly, "we'll want that Mr. Swain, whose story I haven't
heard yet. No doubt of his appearing is there?"

"Absolutely none," I assured him.

"I could put him under guard, of course," said Goldberger, pensively,
"for I'm sure he'll prove to be a very important witness; but if you
will be personally responsible for him, Mr. Lester...."

"I will," I agreed, and Goldberger nodded.

"Have him here at ten o'clock, then," he said.

"Dr. Hinman would better see him again to-day," I suggested.

"I'll call about four o'clock this afternoon," the doctor promised;
and, leaving Goldberger to complete his arrangements and Simmonds to
post his men, Godfrey and I stepped out upon the lawn.

It was after five o'clock and the sun was already high. It scarcely
seemed possible that, only six hours before, Swain had crossed the
wall for the first time!

"