lk across country to the moat-house. She expected
that by the time I reached the house the others would have left for the
Weynes, so the coast would be clear. I was to enter the house by a
little unused door at the back of the left wing which she would leave
unlocked for me, and wait at the foot of the staircase until she came
down.

"I did not like this plan because of the risk, but Violet grew almost
hysterical when I objected to it. She said there was no danger, and it
was her only chance of safety. She believed that Phil suspected
something, because he had looked at her strangely when they were talking
about the necklace downstairs. I put that down to nervousness on her
part, but I realized she must have the necklace, so I gave in, and said
I would do as she wished. I have since bitterly regretted that I did not
go openly to London and back, even at the risk of a little idle
curiosity.

"I announced my recall and departure next morning at the breakfast
table, and returned to London by the afternoon train. I drove to
Sherryman Street, got the necklace, and returned to Victoria just in
time to catch the six o'clock express. I left the train at Weydene, and
walked across the fields to the moat-house. It was quite dark when I
reached there. I crossed the back bridge over the moat and went to the
door in the left wing, as we had arranged. To my surprise it was locked.

"I waited outside the door expecting Violet to come down. Everything was
silent, so I thought the others must have started for the dance. But the
time went on, and nobody came. Then I decided to creep round the, side
of the wing and see if there was a light in Violet's bedroom. At that
moment I heard a loud scream from somewhere upstairs, followed by a
deafening report.

"I had no idea what had happened, but I knew that I must not be found
there, so I slipped back the way I had come. I ran along the outside of
the moat wall, making for the wood in front of the house. As I passed
Violet's window I looked up, and it was in darkness. I suppose that was
why I did not connect the shot or the scream with her.

"I plunged through the woods till I came to the carriage drive. From
there the front of the moat-house was visible to me. I could see lights
flashing, and people moving hurriedly about. After I had stood there for
some time I saw a man hurrying across the moat-house bridge in my
direction, so I went back into the wood and hid behind a tree. The man
s