[Illustration: Sparks fell upon the shoulders of two white-robedfigures (_page_ 9)]

THE GLOVED HAND

_A DETECTIVE STORY_

BY BURTON E. STEVENSON

Author of "The Holladay Case, " "The Marathon Mystery, " "The Mystery ofthe Boule Cabinet, " etc. 

_WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY THOMAS FOGARTY_

1913

This story was published in _The Popular Magazine_ under the title of"The Mind Master. "

BY THE SAME AUTHOR

 The Marathon Mystery The Holladay Case That Affair at Elizabeth Affairs of State At Odds with the Regent Cadets of Gascony The Path of Honor A Soldier of Virginia The Heritage The Quest for the Rose of Sharon The Girl with the Blue Sailor The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet The Gloved Hand

CONTENTS

 CHAPTER

 I THE FALLING STAR II A STRANGE NEIGHBOUR III THE DRAMA IN THE GARDEN IV ENTER FREDDIE SWAIN V A CALL FOR HELP VI THE SCREAM IN THE NIGHT VII THE TRAGEDY VIII A FRESH ENIGMA IX FIRST STEPS X THE WHITE PRIEST OF SIVA XI SWAIN'S STORY XII GUESSES AT THE RIDDLE XIII FRANCISCO SILVA XIV THE FINGER-PRINTS XV THE CHAIN TIGHTENS XVI MISS VAUGHAN'S STORY XVII THE VERDICT XVIII BUILDING A THEORY XIX THE YOGI CONQUERS XX CHECKMATE! XXI THE VISION IN THE CRYSTAL XXII THE SUMMONS XXIII DEADLY PERIL XXIV KISMET! XXV THE BLOOD-STAINED GLOVE XXVI THE MYSTERY CLEARS XXVII THE END OF THE CASE

ILLUSTRATIONS

 SPARKS FELL UPON THE SHOULDERS OF THE TWO WHITE FIGURES (page 9)

 "I'M LAWYER ENOUGH TO KNOW, " HE SAID, "THAT A QUESTION LIKE THAT IS NOT PERMISSIBLE"

 "OH, MASTER RECEIVE ME!"

 "I KNEW THAT I WAS LOST"

CHAPTER I

THE FALLING STAR

I was genuinely tired when I got back to the office, that Wednesdayafternoon, for it had been a trying day--the last of the series oftrying days which had marked the progress of the Minturn case; and myfeeling of depression was increased by the fact that our victory hadnot been nearly so complete as I had hoped it would be. Besides, therewas the heat; always, during the past ten days, there had been theheat, unprecedented for June, with the thermometer climbing higher andhigher and breaking a new record every day. 

As I threw off coat and hat and dropped into the chair before my desk, I could see the heat-waves quivering up past the open windows from thefiery street below. I turned away and closed my eyes, and tried toevoke a vision of white surf falling upon the beach, of tall treesswaying in the breeze, of a brook dropping gently between green banks. 

 "Fountains that frisk and sprinkle The moss they overspill; Pools that the breezes crinkle, ". . . 

and then I stopped, for the door had opened. I unclosed my eyes tosee the office-boy gazing at me in astonishment. He was a well-trainedboy, and recovered himself in an instant. 

"Your mail, sir, " he said, laid it at my elbow, and went out. 

I turned to the letters with an interest the reverse of lively. Thewords of Henley's ballade were still running through my head--

 "Vale-lily and periwinkle; Wet stone-crop on the sill; The look of leaves a-twinkle With windlets, ". . . 

Again I stopped, for again the door opened, and again the office-boyappeared. 

"Mr. Godfrey, sir, " he said, and close upon the words, Jim Godfreyentered, looking as fresh and cool and invigorating as the fountainsand brooks and pools I had been thinking of. 

"How do you do it, Godfrey?" I asked, as he sat down. 

"Do what?"

"Keep so fit. "

"By getting a good sleep every night. Do you?"

I groaned as I thought of the inferno I called my bedroom. 

"I haven't really slept for a week, " I said. 

"Well, you're going to sleep to-night. That's the reason I'm here. Isaw you in court this afternoon--one glance was enough. "

"Yes, " I assented; "one glance would be. But what's the proposition?"

"I'm staying at a little place I've leased for the summer up on thefar edge of the Bronx. I'm going to take you up with me to-night andI'm going to keep you there till Monday. That will give you fivenights' sleep and four days' rest. Don't you think you deserve it?"

"Yes, " I agreed with conviction, "I do;" and I cast my mind rapidlyover the affairs of the office. With the Minturn case ended, there wasreally no reason why I should not take a few days off. 

"You'll come, then?" said Godfrey, who had been following my thoughts. "Don't be afraid, " he added, seeing that I still hesitated. "You won'tfind it dull. "

I looked at him, for he was smiling slightly and his eyes were verybright. 

"Won't I?"

"No, " he said, "for I've discovered certain phenomena in theneighbourhood which I think will interest you. "

When Godfrey spoke in that tone, he could mean only one thing, and mylast vestige of hesitation vanished. 

"All right, " I said; "I'll come. "

"Good. I'll call for you at the Marathon about ten-thirty. That's theearliest I can get away, " and in another moment he was gone. 

So was my fatigue, and I turned with a zest to my letters and to thearrangements necessary for a three days' absence. Then I went up to myrooms, put a few things into a suit-case, got into fresh clothes, mounted to the Astor roof-garden for dinner, and a little after tenwas back again at the Marathon. I had Higgins bring my luggage down, and sat down in the entrance-porch to wait for Godfrey. 

Just across the street gleamed the lights of the police-station wherehe and I had had more than one adventure. For Godfrey was theprincipal police reporter of the _Record_; it was to him that journalowed those brilliant and glowing columns in which the latest mysterywas described and dissected in a way which was a joy alike to theintellect and to the artistic instinct. For the editorial policy ofthe _Record_, for its attitude toward politics, Wall Street, thetrusts, "society, " I had only aversion and disgust; but whenever thetown was shaken with a great criminal mystery, I never missed anissue. 

Godfrey and I had been thrown together first in the Holladay case, and that was the beginning of a friendship which had strengthened withthe years. Then came his brilliant work in solving the Marathonmystery, in which I had also become involved. I had appealed to himfor help in connection with that affair at Elizabeth; and he hadcleared up the remarkable circumstances surrounding the death of myfriend, Philip Vantine, in the affair of the Boule cabinet. So I hadcome to turn to him instinctively whenever I found myself confrontingone of those intricate problems which every lawyer has sometimes tountangle. 

Reciprocally, Godfrey sometimes sought my assistance; but, of course, it was only with a very few of his cases that I had any personalconnection. The others I had to be content to follow, as the generalpublic did, in the columns of the Record, certain that it would be thefirst to reach the goal. Godfrey had a peculiar advantage over theother police reporters in that he had himself, years before, been amember of the detective force, and had very carefully fostered andextended the friendships made at that time. He was looked on rather asan insider, and he was always scrupulously careful to give the membersof the force every bit of credit they deserved--sometimes considerablymore than they deserved. 

In consequence, he had the entree at times when other reporters wererigorously barred. 

It was nearly eleven o'clock before Godfrey arrived that evening, butI was neither surprised nor impatient. I knew how many and unexpectedwere the demands upon his time; and I always found a lively interestin watching the comings and goings at the station across theway--where, alas, the entrances far exceeded the exits! But finally, acar swung in from the Avenue at a speed that drew my eyes, and I sawthat Godfrey was driving it. 

"Jump in, " he said, pushing out his clutch and pausing at the curb;and as I grabbed my suit-case and sprang to the seat beside him, helet the clutch in again and we were off. "No time to lose, " he added, as he changed into high, and turned up Seventh Avenue. 

At the park, he turned westward to the Circle, and then northwardagain out Amsterdam Avenue. There was little traffic, and we were soonskimming along at a speed which made me watch the cross-streetsfearfully. In a few minutes we were across the Harlem and runningnorthward along the uninteresting streets beyond. At this moment, itoccurred to me that Godfrey was behaving singularly as though he werehastening to keep an appointment; but I judged it best not todistract his attention from the street before us, and restrained thequestion which rose to my lips. 

At last, the built-up portion of the town was left behind; we passedlittle houses in little yards, then meadows and gardens and strips ofwoodland, with a house only here and there. We were no longer on apaved street, but on a macadam road--a road apparently little used, for our lamps, sending long streamers of light ahead of us, disclosedfar empty stretches, without vehicle of any kind. There was no moon, and the stars were half-obscured by a haze of cloud, while along thehorizon to the west, I caught the occasional glow of distantlightning. 

And then the sky was suddenly blotted out, and I saw that we wererunning along an avenue of lofty trees. The road at the left wasbordered by a high stone wall, evidently the boundary of an importantestate. We were soon past this, and I felt the speed of the carslacken. 

"Hold tight!" said Godfrey, turned sharply through an open gateway, and brought the car to a stop. Then, snatching out his watch, heleaned forward and held it in the glare of the side-lamp. "Fiveminutes to twelve, " he said. "We can just make it. Come on, Lester. "

He sprang from the car, and I followed, realising that this was notime for questions. 

"This way, " he said, and held out a hand to me, or I should have losthim in the darkness. We were in a grove of lofty trees, and at thefoot of one of these, Godfrey paused. "Up with, you, " he added; "anddon't lose any time, " and he placed my hand upon the rung of a ladder. 

Too amazed to open my lips, I obeyed. The ladder was a long one, and, as I went up and up, I could feel Godfrey mounting after me. I am notexpert at climbing ladders, even by daylight, and my progress was notrapid enough to suit my companion, for he kept urging me on. But atlast, with a breath of relief, I felt that I had reached the top. 

"What now?" I asked. 

"Do you see that big straight limb running out to your right?"

"Yes, " I said, for my eyes were growing accustomed to the darkness. 

"Sit down on it, and hold on to the ladder. "

I did so somewhat gingerly, and in a minute Godfrey was beside me. 

"Now, " he said, in a voice low and tense with excitement, "look out, straight ahead. And remember to hold on to the ladder. "

I could see the hazy mist of the open sky, and from the fitful lightalong the horizon, I knew that we were looking toward the west. Belowme was a mass of confused shadows, which I took for clumps ofshrubbery. 

Then I felt Godfrey's hand close upon my arm. 

"Look!" he said. 

For an instant, I saw nothing; then my eyes caught what seemed to be anew star in the heavens; a star bright, sharp, steel blue--

"Why, it's moving!" I cried. 

He answered with a pressure of the fingers. 

The star was indeed moving; not rising, not drifting with the breeze, but descending, descending slowly, slowly. . . . I watched it with partedlips, leaning forward, my eyes straining at that falling light. 

"Falling" is not the word; nor is "drifting. " It did not fall and itdid not drift. It deliberately descended, in a straight line, at aregular speed, calmly and evenly, as though animated by some definitepurpose. Lower and lower it sank; then it seemed to pause, to hover inthe air, and the next instant it burst into a shower of sparks andvanished. 

And those sparks fell upon the shoulders of two white-robed figures, standing apparently in space, their arms rigidly extended, their facesraised toward the heavens. 

CHAPTER II

A STRANGE NEIGHBOUR

Mechanically I followed Godfrey down the ladder, and, guided by theflaring lights, made my way back to the car. I climbed silently intomy seat, while Godfrey started the motor. Then we rolled slowly up thedriveway, and stopped before the door of a house standing deep amongthe trees. 

"Wait for me here a minute, " Godfrey said, and, when I had got out, handed me my suit-case, and then drove the car on past the house, nodoubt to its garage. 

He was soon back, opened the house-door, switched on the lights, andwaved me in. 

"Here we are, " he said. "I'll show you your room, " and he led the wayup the stairs, opening a door in the hall at the top. "This is it, " headded, and switched on the lights here also. "The bath-room is rightat the end of the hall. Wash up, if you need to, and then come down, and we will have a good-night smoke. "

It was a pleasant room, with the simplest of furniture. Thenight-breeze ruffled the curtains at the windows, and filled the roomwith the cool odour of the woods--how different it was from the odourof dirty asphalt! But I was in no mood to linger there--I wanted anexplanation of that strange light and of those two white-robedfigures. So I paused only to open my grip, change into alounging-coat, and brush off the dust of the journey. Then I hasteneddownstairs. 

Godfrey met me at the stair-foot, and led the way into what wasevidently a lounging-room. A tray containing some cold meat, bread andbutter, cheese, and a few other things, stood on a side-table, and tothis Godfrey added two bottles of Bass. 

"No doubt you're hungry after the ride, " he said. "I know I am, " andhe opened the bottles. "Help yourself, " and he proceeded to makehimself a sandwich. "You see, I live the simple life out here. I'vegot an old couple to look after the place--Mr. And Mrs. Hargis. Mrs. Hargis is an excellent cook--but to ask her to stay awake tillmidnight would be fiendish cruelty. So she leaves me a lunch in theice-box, and goes quietly off to bed. I'll give you some berries forbreakfast such as you don't often get in New York--and the cream--waittill you try it! Have a cigar?"

"No, " I said, sitting down very content with the world, "I've got mypipe, " and I proceeded to fill up. 

Godfrey took down his own pipe from the mantelshelf and sat downopposite me. A moment later, two puffs of smoke circled toward theceiling. 

"Now, " I said, looking at him, "go ahead and tell me about it. "

Godfrey watched a smoke-ring whirl and break before he answered. 

"About ten days ago, " he began, "just at midnight, I happened toglance out of my bedroom window, as I was turning in, and caught aglimpse of a queer light apparently sinking into the tree-tops. Ithought nothing of it; but two nights later, at exactly the same time, I saw it again. I watched for it the next night, and again sawit--just for an instant, you understand, as it formed high in the airand started downward. The next night I was up a tree and saw more ofit; but it was not until night before last that I found the place fromwhich the whole spectacle could be seen. The trees are pretty thickall around here, and I doubt if there is any other place from whichthose two figures would be visible. "

"Then there _were_ two figures!" I said, for I had begun to think thatmy eyes had deceived me. 

"There certainly were. "

"Standing in space?"

"Oh, no; standing on a very substantial roof. "

"But what is it all about?" I questioned. "Why should that lightdescend every midnight? What _is_ the light, anyway?"

"That's what I've brought you out here to find out. You've got fourclear days ahead of you--and I'll be at your disposal from midnighton, if you happen to need me. "

"But you must have some sort of idea about it, " I persisted. "At leastyou know whose roof those figures were standing on. "

"Yes, I know that. The roof belongs to a man named WorthingtonVaughan. Ever hear of him?"

I shook my head. 

"Neither had I, " said Godfrey, "up to the time I took this place. Evenyet, I don't know very much. He's the last of an old family, who madetheir money in real estate, and are supposed to have kept most of it. He's a widower with one daughter. His wife died about ten years ago, and since then he has been a sort of recluse, and has the reputationof being queer. He has been abroad a good deal, and it is only duringthe last year that he has lived continuously at this place next door, which is called Elmhurst. That's about all I've been able to find out. He certainly lives a retired life, for his place has a twelve-footwall around it, and no visitors need apply. "

"How do you know?"

"I tried to make a neighbourly call yesterday, and wasn't admitted. Mr. Vaughan was engaged. Getting ready for his regular midnighthocus-pocus, perhaps!"

I took a meditative puff or two. 

"_Is_ it hocus-pocus, Godfrey?" I asked, at last. "If it is, it's amighty artistic piece of work. "

"And if it isn't hocus-pocus, what is it?" Godfrey retorted. "Aspiritual manifestation?"

I confess I had no answer ready. Ideas which seem reasonable enoughwhen put dimly to oneself, become absurd sometimes when definitelyclothed with words. 

"There are just two possibilities, " Godfrey went on. "Either it'shocus-pocus, or it isn't. If it is, it is done for some purpose. Twomen don't go out on a roof every night at midnight and fire off aRoman candle and wave their arms around, just for the fun of thething. "

"It wasn't a Roman candle, " I pointed out. "A Roman candle is visiblewhen it's going up, and bursts and vanishes at the top of its flight. That light didn't behave that way at all. It formed high in the air, remained there stationary for a moment, gradually grew brighter, andthen started to descend. It didn't fall, it came down slowly, and atan even rate of speed. And it didn't drift away before the breeze, asit would have done if it had been merely floating in the air. Itdescended in a straight line. It gave me the impression of moving asthough a will actuated it--as though it had a distinct purpose. Therewas something uncanny about it!"

Godfrey nodded thoughtful agreement. 

"I have felt that, " he said, "and I admit that the behaviour of thelight is extraordinary. But that doesn't prove it supernatural. Idon't believe in the supernatural. Especially I don't believe that anytwo mortals could arrange with the heavenly powers to make ademonstration like that every night at midnight for their benefit. That's _too_ absurd!"

"It is absurd, " I assented, "and yet it isn't much more absurd than tosuppose that two men would go out on the roof every night to watch aRoman candle, as you call it, come down. Unless, of course, they'relunatics. "

"No, " said Godfrey, "I don't believe they're lunatics--at least, notboth of them. I have a sort of theory about it; but it's a pretty thinone, and I want you to do a little investigating on your own accountbefore I tell you what it is. It's time we went to bed. Don't get upin the morning till you're ready to. Probably I'll not see you tillnight; I have some work to do that will take me off early. But Mrs. Hargis will make you comfortable, and I'll be back in time to join youin another look at the Roman candle!"

He uttered the last words jestingly, but I could see that the jest wasa surface one, and that, at heart, he was deeply serious. Evidently, the strange star had impressed him even more than it had me--thoughperhaps in a different manner. 

I found that it had impressed me deeply enough, for I dreamed about itthat night--dreamed, and woke, only to fall asleep and dream and wakeagain. I do not remember that I saw any more in the dream than I hadseen with my waking eyes, but each time I awoke trembling withapprehension and bathed in perspiration. As I lay there the secondtime, staring up into the darkness and telling myself I was a fool, there came a sudden rush of wind among the trees outside; then a vividflash of lightning and an instant rending crash of thunder, and then asteady downpour of rain. I could guess how the gasping city welcomedit, and I lay for a long time listening to it, as it dripped from theleaves and beat against the house. A delightful coolness filled theroom, an odour fresh and clean; and when, at last, with nervesquieted, I fell asleep again, it was not to awaken until the sun wasbright against my curtains. 

CHAPTER III

THE DRAMA IN THE GARDEN

I glanced at my watch, as soon as I was out of bed, and saw that itwas after ten o'clock. All the sleep I had lost during the hot nightsof the previous week had been crowded into the last nine hours; I feltlike a new man, and when, half an hour later, I ran downstairs, it waswith such an appetite for breakfast as I had not known for a longtime. 

There was no one in the hall, and I stepped out through the open doorto the porch beyond, and stood looking about me. The house was builtin the midst of a grove of beautiful old trees, some distance backfrom the road, of which I could catch only a glimpse. It was a smallhouse, a story and a half in height, evidently designed only as asummer residence. 

"Good morning, sir, " said a voice behind me, and I turned to find apleasant-faced, grey-haired woman standing in the doorway. 

"Good morning, " I responded. "I suppose you are Mrs. Hargis?"

"Yes, sir; and your breakfast's ready. "

"Has Mr. Godfrey gone?"

"Yes, sir; he left about an hour ago. He was afraid his machine wouldwaken you. "

"It didn't, " I said, as I followed her back along the hall. "Nothingshort of an earthquake would have wakened me. Ah, this is fine!"

She had shown me into a pleasant room, where a little table was setnear an open window. It made quite a picture, with its white cloth andshining dishes and plate of yellow butter, and bowl of crimsonberries, and--but I didn't linger to admire it. I don't know when Ihave enjoyed breakfast so much. Mrs. Hargis, after bringing in theeggs and bacon and setting a little pot of steaming coffee at myelbow, sensibly left me alone to the enjoyment of it. Ever since thatmorning, I have realised that, to start the day exactly right, a manshould breakfast by himself, amid just such surroundings, leisurelyand without distraction. A copy of the morning's _Record_ was lying onthe table, but I did not even open it. I did not care what hadhappened in the world the day before!

At last, ineffably content, I stepped out upon the driveway at theside of the house, and strolled away among the trees. At the end of afew minutes, I came to the high stone wall which bounded the estateof the mysterious Worthington Vaughan, and suddenly the wish came tome to see what lay behind it. Without much difficulty, I found thetree with the ladder against it, which we had mounted the nightbefore. It was a long ladder, even in the daytime, but at last Ireached the top, and settled myself on the limb against which itrested. Assuring myself that the leaves hid me from any chanceobserver, I looked down into the grounds beyond the wall. 

There was not much to see. The grounds were extensive and hadevidently been laid out with care, but there was an air of neglectabout them, as though the attention they received was careless andinadequate. The shrubbery was too dense, grass was invading the walks, here and there a tree showed a dead limb or a broken one. Near thehouse was a wide lawn, designed, perhaps, as a tennis-court orcroquet-ground, with rustic seats under the trees at the edge. 

About the house itself was a screen of magnificent elms, whichdoubtless gave the place its name, and which shut the house incompletely. All I could see of it was one corner of the roof. This, however, stood out clear against the sky, and it was here, evidently, that the mysterious midnight figures had been stationed. As I lookedat it, I realised the truth of Godfrey's remark that probably from noother point of vantage but just this would they be visible. 

It did not take me many minutes to exhaust the interest of this emptyprospect, more especially since my perch was anything but comfortable, and I was just about to descend, when two white-robed figures appearedat the edge of the open space near the house and walked slowly acrossit. I settled back into my place with a tightening of interest whichmade me forget its discomfort, for that these were the twostar-worshippers I did not doubt. 

The distance was so great that their faces were the merest blurs; butI could see that one leaned heavily upon the arm of the other, asmuch, or so it seemed to me, for moral as for physical support. Icould see, too, that the hair of the feebler man was white, while thatof his companion was jet black. The younger man's face appeared sodark that I suspected he wore a beard, and his figure was erect andvigorous, in the prime of life, virile and full of power. 

He certainly dominated the older man. I watched them attentively, asthey paced back and forth, and the dependence of the one upon theother was very manifest. Both heads were bent as though in earnesttalk, and for perhaps half an hour they walked slowly up and down. Then, at a sign of fatigue from the older figure, the other led himto a garden-bench, where both sat down. 

The elder man, I told myself, was no doubt Worthington Vaughan. Smallwonder he was considered queer if he dressed habitually in a whiterobe and worshipped the stars at midnight! There was something monkishabout the habits which he and his companion wore, and the thoughtflashed into my mind that perhaps they were members of some religiousorder, or some Oriental cult or priesthood. And both of them, I addedto myself, must be a little mad!

As I watched, the discussion gradually grew more animated, and theyounger man, springing to his feet, paced excitedly up and down, touching his forehead with his fingers from time to time, and raisinghis hands to heaven, as though calling it as a witness to his words. At last the other made a sign of assent, got to his feet, bent hishead reverently as to a spiritual superior and walked slowly awaytoward the house. The younger man stood gazing after him until hepassed from sight, then resumed his rapid pacing up and down, evidently deeply moved. 

At last from the direction of the house came the flutter of a whiterobe. For a moment, I thought it was the old man returning; then as itemerged fully from among the trees, I saw that it was a woman--ayoung woman, I guessed, from her slimness, and from the mass of darkhair which framed her face. And then I remembered that Godfrey hadtold me that Worthington Vaughan had a daughter. 

The man was at her side in an instant, held out his hand, and saidsomething, which caused her to shrink away. She half-turned, as thoughto flee, but the other laid his hand upon her arm, speaking earnestly, and, after a moment, she permitted him to lead her to a seat. Heremained standing before her, sometimes raising his hands to heaven, sometimes pointing toward the house, sometimes bending close aboveher, and from time to time making that peculiar gesture of touchinghis fingers to his forehead, whose meaning I could not guess. But Icould guess at the torrent of passionate words which poured from hislips, and at the eager light which was in his eyes!

The woman sat quite still, with bowed head, listening, but making nosign either of consent or refusal. Gradually, the man grew moreconfident, and at last stooped to take her hand, but she drew itquickly away, and, raising her head, said something slowly and withemphasis. He shook his head savagely, then, after a rapid turn up anddown, seemed to agree, bowed low to her, and went rapidly away towardthe house. The woman sat for some time where he had left her, her facein her hands; then, with a gesture of weariness and discouragement, crossed the lawn and disappeared among the trees. 

For a long time I sat there motionless, my eyes on the spot where shehad disappeared, trying to understand. What was the meaning of thescene? What was it the younger man had urged so passionately upon her, but at which she had rebelled? What was it for which he had pled soearnestly? The obvious answer was that he pled for her love, that hehad urged her to become his wife; but the answer did not satisfy me. His attitude had been passionate enough, but it had scarcely beenlover-like. It had more of admonition, of warning, even of threat, than of entreaty in it. It was not the attitude of a lover to hismistress, but of a master to his pupil. 

And what had been the answer, wrung from her finally by hisinsistence--the answer to which he had at first violently dissented, and then reluctantly agreed?

No doubt, if these people had been garbed in the clothes of every day, I should have felt at the outset that all this was none of mybusiness, and have crept down the ladder and gone away. But theirstrange dress gave to the scene an air at once unreal and theatrical, and not for an instant had I felt myself an intruder. It was as thoughI were looking at the rehearsal of a drama designed for the publicgaze and enacted upon a stage; or, more properly, a pantomime, dim andfigurative, but most impressive. Might it not, indeed, be a rehearsalof some sort--private theatricals--make-believe? But that scene atmidnight--that could not be make-believe! No, nor was this scene inthe garden. It was in earnest--in deadliest earnest; there was aboutit something sinister and threatening; and it was the realisation ofthis--the realisation that there was something here not right, something demanding scrutiny--which kept me chained to myuncomfortable perch, minute after minute. 

But nothing further happened, and I realised, at last, that if I wasto escape an agonising cramp in the leg, I must get down. I put myfeet on the ladder, and then paused for a last look about the grounds. My eye was caught by a flutter of white among the trees. Someone waswalking along one of the paths; in a moment, straining forward, I sawit was the woman, and that she was approaching the wall. 

And then, as she came nearer, I saw that she was not a woman at all, but a girl--a girl of eighteen or twenty, to whom the flowing robesgave, at a distance, the effect of age. I caught only a glimpse ofher face before it was hidden by a clump of shrubbery, but thatglimpse told me that it was a face to set the pulses leaping. Istrained still farther forward, waiting until she should come intosight again. . . . 

Along the path she came, with the sunlight about her, kissing herhair, her lips, her cheeks--and the next instant her eyes were staringupwards into mine. 

I could not move. I could only stare down at her. I saw the hot coloursweep across her face; I saw her hand go to her bosom; I saw her turnto flee. Then, to my amazement, she stopped, as though arrested by asudden thought, turned toward me again, and raised her eyesdeliberately to mine. 

For fully a minute she stood there, her gaze searching and intent, asthough she would read my soul; then her face hardened with suddenresolution. Again she put her hand to her bosom, turned hastily towardthe wall, and disappeared behind it. 

The next instant, something white came flying over it, and fell on thegrass beneath my tree. Staring down at it, I saw it was a letter. 

CHAPTER IV

ENTER FREDDIE SWAIN

I fell, rather than climbed, down the ladder, snatched the whitemissile from the grass, and saw that it was, indeed, a sealed andaddressed envelope. I had somehow expected that address to includeeither Godfrey's name or mine; but it did neither. The envelope borethese words:

 Mr. Frederic Swain, 1010 Fifth Avenue, New York City. 

 If not at this address, please try the Calumet Club. 

I sat down on the lowest rung of the ladder, whistling softly tomyself. For Freddie Swain's address was no longer 1010 Fifth Avenue, nor was he to be found in the luxurious rooms of the Calumet Club. Infact, it was nearly a year since he had entered either place. For someeight hours of every week-day, he laboured in the law offices of Royce& Lester; he slept in a little room on the top floor of the Marathon;three hours of every evening, Saturdays, Sundays and holidaysexcepted, were spent at the law school of the University of New York;and the remaining hours of the twenty-four in haunts much lessconspicuous and expensive than the Calumet Club. 

For Freddie Swain had taken one of these toboggan slides down the hillof fortune which sometimes happen to the most deserving. His father, old General Orlando Swain, had, all his life, put up a pompous frontand was supposed to have inherited a fortune from somewhere; but, whenhe died, this edifice was found to be all façade and no foundation, and Freddie inherited nothing but debts. He had been expensivelyeducated for a career as an Ornament of Society, but he found thatcareer cut short, for Society suddenly ceased to find him ornamental. I suppose there were too many marriageable daughters about!

I am bound to say that he took the blow well. Instead of attempting tocling to the skirts of Society as a vendor of champagne or anorganiser of fêtes champêtres, he--to use his own words--decided tocut the whole show. 

Our firm had been named as the administrators of the Swain estate, andwhen the storm was over and we were sitting among the ruins, Freddieexpressed the intention of going to work. 

"What will you do?" Mr. Royce inquired. "Ever had any training inmaking money?"

"No, only in spending it, " retorted Freddie, easily. "But I canlearn. I was thinking of studying law. That's a good trade, isn't it?"

"Splendid!" assented Mr. Royce, warmly. "And there are always so manyopenings. You see, nobody studies law--lawyers are as scarce as hen'steeth. "

"Just the same, I think I'll have a try at it, " said Freddie, sturdily. "There's always room at the top, you know, " he added, with agrin. "I can go to the night-school at the University, and I ought tobe able to earn enough to live on, as a clerk or something. I know howto read and write. "

"That will help, of course, " agreed Mr. Royce. "But I'm afraid that, right at first, anyway, you can scarcely hope to live in the style towhich you have been accustomed. "

Freddie turned on him with fire in his eyes. 

"Look here, " he said, "suppose you give me a job. I'll do my work andearn my wages--try me and see. "

There was something in his face that touched me, and I glanced at Mr. Royce. I saw that his gruffness was merely a mantle to cloak his realfeelings; and the result was that Freddie Swain was set to work as acopying-clerk at a salary of fifteen dollars a week. He appliedhimself to his work with an energy that surprised me, and I learnedthat he was taking the night-course at the University, as he hadplanned. Finally, one night, I met him as I was turning in to my roomsat the Marathon, and found that he had rented a cubby-hole on the topfloor of the building. After that, I saw him occasionally, and whensix months had passed, was forced to acknowledge that he wasthoroughly in earnest. I happened to remark to Mr. Royce one day thatSwain seemed to be making good. 

"Yes, " my partner agreed; "I didn't think he had it in him. He had arude awakening from his dream of affluence, and it seems to have donehim good. "

But, somehow, I had fancied that it was from more than a dream ofaffluence he had been awakened; and now, as I sat staring at thisletter, I began to understand dimly what the other dream had been. 

The first thing was to get the letter into his hands, for I wascertain that it was a cry for help. I glanced at my watch and saw thatit was nearly half past twelve. Swain, I knew, would be at lunch, andwas not due at the office until one o'clock. Slipping the letter intomy pocket, I turned back to the house, and found Mrs. Hargis standingon the front porch. 

"I declare, I thought you was lost, Mr. Lester, " she said. "I wasjust going to send William to look for you. Ain't you 'most starved?"

"Scarcely starved, Mrs. Hargis, " I said, "but with a very creditableappetite, when you consider that I ate breakfast only two hours ago. "

"Well, come right in, " she said. "Your lunch is ready. "

"I suppose there's a telephone somewhere about?" I asked, as Ifollowed her through the hall. 

"Yes, sir, in here, " and she opened the door into a little room fittedup as a study. "It's here Mr. Godfrey works sometimes. "

"Thank you, " I said, "I've got to call up the office. I won't be but aminute. "

I found Godfrey's number stamped on the cover of the telephone book, and then called the office. As I had guessed, Swain was not yet backfrom lunch, and I left word for him to call me as soon as he came in. Then I made my way to the dining-room, where Mrs. Hargis was awaitingme. 

"How does one get out here from New York, Mrs. Hargis?" I asked, as Isat down. "That is, if one doesn't happen to own a motor car?"

"Why, very easily, sir. Take the Third Avenue elevated to the end ofthe line, and then the trolley. It runs along Dryden Road, just twoblocks over. "

"Where does one get off?"

"At Prospect Street, sir. "

"And what is this place called?"

"This is the old Bennett place, sir. "

"Thank you. And let me tell you, Mrs. Hargis, " I added, "that I havenever tasted a better salad. "

Her kindly old face flushed with pleasure. 

"It's nice of you to say that, sir, " she said. "We have our owngarden, and William takes a great pride in it. "

"I must go and see it, " I said. "I've always fancied I'd like topotter around in a garden. I must see if Mr. Godfrey won't let me inon this. "

"He spends an hour in it every morning. Sometimes he can hardly tearhimself away. I certainly do like Mr. Godfrey. "

"So do I, " I agreed heartily. "He's a splendid fellow--one of thenicest, squarest men I ever met--and a friend worth having. "

"He's all of that, sir, " she agreed, and stood for a moment, claspingand unclasping her hands nervously, as though there was something elseshe wished to say. But she evidently thought better of it. "There'sthe bell, sir, " she added. "Please ring if there's anything else youwant, " and she left me to myself. 

I had pushed back my chair and was filling my pipe when the telephonerang. It was Swain. 

"Swain, " I said, "this is Mr. Lester. I'm at a place up here in theBronx, and I want you to come up right away. "

"Very good, sir, " said Swain. "How do I get there?"

"Take the Third Avenue elevated to the end of the line, and then thetrolley which runs along Dryden Road. Get off at Prospect Street, walktwo blocks west and ask for the old Bennett place. I'll have an eyeout for you. "

"All right, sir, " said Swain, again. "Do you want me to bring somepapers, or anything?"

"No; just come as quickly as you can, " I answered, and hung up. 

I figured that, even at the best, it would take Swain an hour and ahalf to make the journey, and I strolled out under the trees again. Then the thought came to me that I might as well make a littleexploration of the neighbourhood, and I sauntered out to the road. Along it for some distance ran the high wall which bounded Elmhurst, and I saw that the wall had been further fortified by ugly pieces ofbroken glass set in cement along its top. 

I could see a break in the wall, about midway of its length, and, walking past, discovered that this was where the gates were set--heavygates of wrought iron, very tall, and surmounted by sharp spikes. Thewhole length of the wall was, I judged, considerably over a cityblock, but there was no other opening in it. 

At the farther end, it was bounded by a crossroad, and, turning alongthis, I found that the wall extended nearly the same distance in thisdirection. There was an opening about midway--a small opening, closedby a heavy, iron-banded door--the servants' entrance, I told myself. The grounds of a row of houses facing the road beyond ran up to thewall at the back, and I could not follow it without attracting notice, but I could see that there was no break in it. I was almost certainthat the wall which closed the estate on Godfrey's side was alsounbroken. There were, then, only the two entrances. 

I walked back again to the front, and paused for a glance through thegates. But there was nothing to be seen. The driveway parted andcurved away out of sight in either direction, and a dense mass ofshrubbery opposite the gate shut off any view of the grounds. Even ofthe house, there was nothing to be seen except the chimneys and onegable. Evidently, Mr. Vaughan was fond of privacy, and had spared nopains to secure it. 

Opposite the Vaughan place, a strip of woodland ran back from theroad. It was dense with undergrowth, and, I reflected, would form anadmirable hiding-place. The road itself seemed little travelled, and Ijudged that the main artery of traffic was the road along which thetrolley ran, two blocks away. 

I returned to my starting point, and assured myself that the wall onthat side was indeed without a break. Some vines had started up ithere and there, but, for the most part, it loomed grey and bleak, crowned along its whole length by that threatening line of brokenglass. I judged it to be twelve feet high, so that, even without theglass, it would be impossible for anyone to get over it withoutassistance. As I stood there looking at it, resenting the threat ofthat broken glass, and pondering the infirmity of character which sucha threat revealed, it suddenly struck me that the upper part of thewall differed slightly from the lower part. It was a little lighter incolour, a little newer in appearance; and, examining the wall moreclosely, I discovered that originally it had been only eight or ninefeet high, and that the upper part had been added at a later date--andlast of all, of course, the broken glass!

As I turned back, at last, toward the house, I saw someone coming upthe drive. In a moment, I recognised Swain, and quickened my steps. 

"You made good time, " I said. 

"Yes, sir; I was fortunate in catching an express and not having towait for the trolley. "

"We'd better go into the house, " I added. "I have a message for you--aconfidential message. "

He glanced at me quickly, but followed silently, as I led the way intoGodfrey's study and carefully closed the door. 

"Sit down, " I said, and I sat down myself and looked at him. 

I had always thought Swain a handsome, thoroughbred-looking fellow;and I saw that, in the past few months, he had grown morethoroughbred-looking than ever. His face was thinner than when he hadfirst gone to work for us, there was a new line between his eyebrows, and the set of his lips told of battles fought and won. A year ago, ithad seemed natural to call him Freddie, but no one would think ofdoing so now. His father's creditors had not attempted to take fromhim his wardrobe--a costly and extensive one--so that he was dressedas carefully, if not quite as fashionably, as ever, in a way thatsuggested a young millionaire, rather than a fifteen-dollar-a-weekclerk. At this moment, his face was clouded, and he drummed the arm ofhis chair with nervous fingers. Then he shifted uneasily under mygaze, which was, perhaps, more earnest than I realised. 

"You said you had a message for me, sir, " he reminded me. 

"Yes, " I said. "Have you ever been out this way before?"

"Yes, I have been out this way a number of times. "

"You know this place, then?"

"I have heard it mentioned, but I have never been here before. "

"Do you know whose place that is next door to us?"

"Yes, " and his voice sank to a lower key. "It belongs to WorthingtonVaughan. "

"And you know him?"

"At one time, I knew him quite well, sir, " and his voice was stilllower. 

"No doubt, " I went on, more and more interested, "you also knew hisvery fascinating daughter. "

A wave of colour crimsoned his face. 

"Why are you asking me these questions, Mr. Lester?" he demanded. 

"Because, " I said, "the message I have is from that young lady, andis for a man named Frederic Swain. "

He was on his feet, staring at me, and all the blood was gone from hischeeks. 

"A message!" he cried. "From her! From Marjorie! What is it, Mr. Lester? For God's sake. . . . "

"Here it is, " I said, and handed him the letter. 

He seized it, took one look at the address, then turned away to thewindow and ripped the envelope open. He unfolded the sheet of paper itcontained, and as his eyes ran along it, his face grew whiter still. At last he raised his eyes and stared at me with the look of a man whofelt the world tottering about him. 

CHAPTER V

A CALL FOR HELP

"For heaven's sake, Swain, " I said, "sit down and pull yourselftogether. "

But he did not seem to hear me. Instead he read the letter throughagain, then he turned toward me. 

"How did you get this, Mr. Lester?" he asked. 

"I found it lying under the trees. It had been thrown over the wall. "

"But how did you know it was thrown over by Miss Vaughan?"

"That was an easy guess, " I said, sparring feebly. "Who else wouldattempt to conduct a surreptitious correspondence with a handsomeyoung man?"

But he did not smile; the look of intensity in his eyes deepened. 

"Come, Mr. Lester, " he protested, "don't play with me. I have a rightto know the truth. "

"What right?" I queried. 

He paused an instant, as though nerving himself to speak, as thoughasking himself how much he should tell me. Then he came toward meimpulsively. 

"Miss Vaughan and I are engaged to be married, " he said. "Some personsmay tell you that the engagement has been broken off; more than once, I have offered to release her, but she refuses to be released. We loveeach other. "

The word "love" is a difficult one for us Anglo-Saxons to pronounce;the voice in which Swain uttered it brought me to my feet, withoutstretched hand. 

"If there's anything I can do for you, my boy, " I said, "tell me. "

"Thank you, Mr. Lester, " and he returned my clasp. "You have done agreat deal already in giving me this letter so promptly. The onlyother thing you can do is to permit me to stay here until to-night. "

"Until to-night?"

"Miss Vaughan asks me to meet her to-night. "

"In her father's grounds?"

"Yes. "

"Unknown to him?"

"Yes. "

"He is not friendly to you?"

"No. "

I had a little struggle with myself. 

"See here, Swain, " I said, "sit down and let us talk this thing overcalmly. Before I promise anything, I should like to know more of thestory. From the glimpse I caught of Miss Vaughan, I could see that sheis very beautiful, and she also seemed to me to be very young. "

"She is nineteen, " said Swain. 

"Her father is wealthy, I suppose?"

"Very wealthy. "

"And her mother is dead?"

"Yes. "

"Well, " I began, and hesitated, fearing to wound him. 

"I know what you are thinking, " Swain burst in, "and I do not blameyou. You are thinking that she is a young, beautiful and wealthy girl, while I am a poverty-stricken nonentity, without any profession, andable to earn just enough to live on--perhaps I couldn't do even that, if I had to buy my clothes! You are thinking that her father is rightto separate us, and that she ought to be protected from me. Isn't thatit?"

"Yes, " I admitted, "something like that. "

"And I answer, Mr. Lester, by saying that all that is true, that I amnot worthy of her, and that nobody knows it better than I do. Thereare thousands of men who could offer her far more than I can, and whowould be eager to offer it. But when I asked her to marry me, Ithought myself the son of a wealthy man. When I found myself apauper, I wrote at once to release her. She replied that when shewished her release, she would ask for it; that it wasn't my money shewas in love with. Then I came out here and had a talk with her father. He was kind enough, but pointed out that the affair could not gofurther until I had established myself. I agreed, of course; I agreed, too, when he suggested that it would only be fair to her to leave herfree--not to see her or write to her, or try to influence her in anyway. I wanted to be fair to her. Since then, I have not seen her, norheard from her. But her father's feelings have changed toward me. "

"In what way?"

"I thought he might be interested to know what I was doing, and two orthree months ago, I called and asked to see him. Instead of seeing me, he sent word by a black-faced fellow in a white robe that neither henor his daughter wished to see me again. "

His face was red with the remembered humiliation. 

"I wrote to Miss Vaughan once, after that, " he added, "but my letterwas not answered. "

"Evidently she didn't get your letter. "

"Why do you think so?"

"If she had got it, she would have known that you were no longer at1010 Fifth Avenue. Her father, no doubt, kept it from her. "

He flushed still more deeply, and started to say something, but I heldhim silent. 

"He was justified in keeping it, " I said. "You had promised not towrite to her. And I don't see that you have given me any reason why Ishould assist you against him. "

"I haven't, " Swain admitted more calmly, "and under ordinarycircumstances, my self-respect would compel me to keep away. I am nota fortune-hunter. But I can't keep away; I can't stand on my dignity. When she calls for aid, I _must_ go to her, not for my own sake butfor hers, because she needs to be protected from her father far morethan from me. "

"What do you mean by that?" I demanded. 

"Mr. Lester, " he said, leaning forward in his chair and speaking in alowered voice and with great earnestness, "her father is mad--I amsure of it. No one but a madman would live and dress as he does; noone but a madman would devote his whole time to the study of thesupernatural; no one but a madman would believe in the supernatural ashe does. "

But I shook my head. 

"I'm afraid that won't do, Swain. A good many fairly sane peoplebelieve in the supernatural and devote themselves to its study--thereis William James, for instance. "

"But William James doesn't dress in flowing robes, and worship thesun, and live with a Hindu mystic. "

"No, " I smiled, "he doesn't do that, " and I thought again of themysterious light and of the two white-clad figures. "Does he live witha Hindu mystic?"

"Yes, " said Swain, bitterly. "An adept, or whatever they call it. He'sthe fellow who kicked me out. "

"Does he speak English?"

"Better than I do. He seems a finely-educated man. "

"Is he a lunatic, too?"

Swain hesitated. 

"I don't know, " he said, finally. "I only saw him once, and I wascertainly impressed--I wasn't one, two, three with him. I supposemysticism comes more or less natural to a Hindu; but I'm convincedthat Mr. Vaughan has softening of the brain. "

"How old is he?"

"About sixty. "

"Has he always been queer?"

"He has always been interested in telepathy and mental suggestion, and all that sort of thing. But before his wife's death, he was fairlynormal. It was her death that started him on this supernaturalbusiness. He hasn't thought of anything else since. "

"Are there any relatives who could be asked to interfere?"

"None that I know of. "

I thought over what he had told me. 

"Well, " I said at last, "I can see no harm in your meeting MissVaughan and finding out what the condition of affairs really is. Ifher father is really mad, he may be a good deal worse now than he waswhen you saw him last. It would, of course, be possible to have hissanity tested--but his daughter would scarcely wish to do that. "

"No, of course not, " Swain agreed. 

"Her letter tells you nothing?"

"Nothing except that she is in great trouble, and wishes to see me atonce. "

"You are to go to the house?"

"No; there is an arbour in one corner of the grounds. She says thatshe will be there at eleven-thirty every night for three nights. Afterthat, she says it will be no use for me to come--that it will be toolate. "

"What does she mean by 'too late'?"

"I have no idea, " he answered, and turned to another anxious perusalof the letter. 

I turned the situation over in my mind. Evidently Miss Vaughanbelieved that she had grave cause for alarm, and yet it was quitepossible she might be mistaken. She was being urged to consent tosomething against her will, but perhaps it was for her own good. Inany event, I had seen no indication that her consent was being soughtby violence. There must be no interference on our part until we weresurer of our ground. 

"Well, Swain, " I said, at last, "I will help you on one condition. "

"What is that?"

"You will meet Miss Vaughan to-night and hear her story, but you willtake no action until you and I have talked the matter over. She, herself, says that she has three days, " I went on, as he started toprotest, "so there is no necessity for leaping in the dark. And Iwould point out to you that she is not yet of age, but is still underher father's control. "

"She is nineteen, " he protested. 

"In this state, the legal age for women, as for men, is twenty-one. The law requires a very serious reason for interfering between a childand its father. Moreover, " I added, "she must not be compromised. Ifyou persuade her to accompany you to-night, where would you take her?In no case, will I be a party to an elopement--I will do all I can toprevent it. "

He took a short turn up and down the room, his hands clenched behindhim. 

"Mr. Lester, " he said, at last, stopping before me, "I want you tobelieve that I have not even thought of an elopement--that would betoo base, too unfair to her. But I see that you are right. She mustnot be compromised. "

"And you promise to ask my advice?"

"Suppose I make such a promise, what then?"

"If you make such a promise, and I agree with you as to the necessityfor Miss Vaughan to leave her father, I think I can arrange for her tostay with Mr. And Mrs. Royce for a time. There she will be safe. Should legal proceedings become necessary, our firm will help you. Iwant to help you, Swain, " I added, warmly, "but I must be convincedthat you deserve help. That's reasonable, isn't it?"

"Yes, " he agreed, and held out his hand. "And I promise. "

"Good. And now for the arrangements. "

Two twelve-foot ladders were necessary, one for either side of thewall; but, beyond a short step-ladder, the place possessed none exceptthe long one by which Godfrey and I had mounted into the tree. Swainsuggested that this might do for one, but I felt that it would betterstay where it was, and sent Hargis over to Yonkers to buy two newones, instructing him to bring them back with him. 

Then Swain and I reconnoitred the wall, and chose for the crossing aspot where the glass escarpment seemed a little less formidable thanelsewhere. 

"You can step from one ladder to the other, " I pointed out, "withouttouching the top of the wall. A mere touch would be dangerous in thedark. "

He nodded his agreement, and finally we went back to the house. Getting there, we found suddenly that we had nothing more to say. Swain was soon deep in his own thoughts; and, I must confess, that, after the first excitement, I began to find the affair a littlewearying. Another man's love-affair is usually wearying; and, besidesthat, the glimpse which I had caught of Marjorie Vaughan made me thinkthat she was worthy of a bigger fish than Swain would ever be. He wasright in saying that there were thousands of men who had more to giveher, and who would be eager to give. 

I examined Swain, as he sat there staring at nothing, with eyes notwholly friendly. He was handsome enough, but in a stereotyped way. Andhe was only an insignificant clerk, with small prospect of ever beinganything much better, for he had started the battle of life too late. Honest, of course, honourable, clean-hearted, but commonplace, with adepth of soul easily fathomed. I know now that I was unjust to Swain, but, at the moment, my scrutiny of him left me strangely depressed. 

A rattle of wheels on the drive brought us both out of our thoughts. It was Hargis returning with the ladders. I had him hang them upagainst the shed where he kept his gardening implements, for I did notwish him to suspect the invasion we had planned; then, just to killtime and get away from Swain, I spent an hour with Hargis in hisgarden; and finally came the summons to dinner. An hour later, as wesat on the front porch smoking, and still finding little or nothing tosay, Mrs. Hargis came out to bid us good-night. 

"Mr. Swain can use the bedroom next to yours, Mr. Lester, " she said. 

"Perhaps he won't stay all night, " I said. "If he does, I'll show himthe way to it. And thank you very much, Mrs. Hargis. "

"Is there anything else I can do, sir?"

"No, thank you. "

"Mr. Godfrey will be here a little before midnight--at least, that'shis usual time. "

"We'll wait up for him, " I said. "Good night, Mrs. Hargis. "

"Good night, sir, " and she went back into the house. 

I have never passed through a longer or more trying hour than the nextone was, and I could tell by the way Swain twitched about in his chairthat he felt the tedium as much as I. Once or twice I tried to start aconversation, but it soon trickled dry; and we ended by smoking awaymoodily and staring out into the darkness. 

At last Swain sprang to his feet. 

"I can't stand this any longer, " he said. "I'm going over the wall. "

I struck a match and looked at my watch. 

"It isn't eleven o'clock yet, " I warned him. 

"I don't care. Perhaps she'll be ahead of time. Anyway, I might aswell wait there as here. "

"Come on, then, " I agreed, for I felt myself that another such hourwould be unendurable. 

Together we made our way back to the shed and took down the ladders. Amoment later, we were at the wall. Swain placed his ladder against it, and mounted quickly to the top. As he paused there, I handed him upthe other one. He caught it from my hands, lifted it over the wall, and lowered it carefully on the other side. As he did so, I heard himgive a muffled exclamation of mingled pain and annoyance, and knewthat he had cut himself. 

"Not bad, is it?" I asked. 

"No; only a scratch on the wrist, " he answered shortly, and the nextinstant he had swung himself over the wall and disappeared. 

CHAPTER VI

THE SCREAM IN THE NIGHT

For some moments, I stood staring up into the darkness, half-expectingthat shadowy figure to reappear, descend the ladder, and rejoin me. Then I shook myself together. The fact that our plot was reallymoving, that Swain was in the enemy's country, so to speak, gave theaffair a finality which it had lacked before. It was too late now tohesitate or turn back; we must press forward. I felt as though, aftera long period of uncertainty, war had been declared and the advancedefinitely begun. So it was with a certain sense of relief that Iturned away, walked slowly back to the house, and sat down again uponthe porch to wait. 

Now waiting is seldom a pleasant or an easy thing, and I found it thatnight most unpleasant and uneasy. For, before long, doubts began tocrowd upon me--doubts of the wisdom of the course I had subscribed to. It would have been wiser, I told myself, if it had been I, and notSwain, who had gone to the rendezvous; wiser still, perhaps, to havesought an interview openly, and to have made sure of the facts beforeseeming to encourage what might easily prove to be a girl's more orless romantic illusions. A midnight interview savoured too much ofmelodrama to appeal to a middle-aged lawyer like myself, however greatits appeal might be to youthful lovers. At any rate, I would becertain that the need was very great before I consented to meddlefurther!

Somewhat comforted by this resolution and by the thought that no realharm had as yet been done, I struck a match and looked at my watch. Itwas half-past eleven. Well, whatever the story was, Swain was hearingit now, and I should hear it before long. And then I caught the hum ofan approaching car, and was momentarily blinded by the glare ofacetylene lamps. 

"Hello, Lester, " called Godfrey's voice, "I'll be back in a minute, "and he ran the car on toward the rear of the house. 

I stood up with a gasp of thankfulness. Here was someone to confide inand advise with. The stretch of lonely waiting was at an end; it hadbeen a trying evening!

I think the warmth of my greeting surprised Godfrey, for he looked atme curiously. 

"Sit down, Godfrey, " I said. "I've got something to tell you. "

"What, discoveries already?" he laughed, but he drew a chair close tomine and sat down. "Well, what are they?"

I began at the beginning and related the day's adventures. He listenedwithout comment, but I could see how his interest grew. 

"So young Swain is over in those grounds now, " he said thoughtfully, when I had finished. 

"Yes; he's been there three-quarters of an hour. "

"Why do you suppose Miss Vaughan named so late an hour?"

"I don't know. Perhaps because she was afraid of being discoveredearlier than that--or perhaps merely because she's just a romanticgirl. "

Godfrey sat with his head bent in thought for a moment. 

"I have it!" he said. "At eleven-thirty every night her father and theadept go up to the roof, to remain there till midnight. That is theone time of the whole day when she is absolutely sure to be alone. Come along, Lester!"

He was on his feet now, and his voice was quivering with excitement. 

"Where are you going?" I asked. 

"Up the ladder. It's nearly twelve. If the star falls as usual, we'llknow that everything is all right. If it doesn't . . . "

He did not finish, but hurried away among the trees. In a moment wewere at the ladder; in another moment we were high among the leaves, straining our eyes through the darkness. 

"I'm going to look at my watch, " said Godfrey, in a low voice. "Leanback and screen me. "

I heard the flash of the match and saw a little glare of light againstthe nearest leaves. Then Godfrey's voice spoke again. 

"It's three minutes of twelve, " he said. 

There was a tension in his voice which sent a shiver through me, though I understood but dimly what it was he feared. The stars wereshining brightly, and once I fancied that I saw the strange starappear among them; but when I closed my eyes for an instant and lookedagain, it was gone. Slow minute followed minute, and the hand withwhich I clutched the ladder began to tremble. The sight of thatmysterious light had shaken me the night before, but not half sodeeply as its absence shook me now. At last the suspense grewunendurable. 

"It must be long past midnight, " I whispered. 

"It is, " agreed Godfrey gravely; "we may as well go down. "

He paused an instant longer to stare out into the darkness, thendescended quickly. I followed, and found him waiting, a dark shadow. He put his hand on my arm, and stood a moment, as though inindecision. For myself, I felt as though an intolerable burden hadbeen laid upon my shoulders. 

"Well, " I asked, at last, "what now?"

"We must see if Swain has returned, " he answered. "If he has, allright. If he hasn't, we'll have to go and look for him. "

"What is it you fear, Godfrey?" I demanded. "Do you think Swain's indanger?"

"I don't know what I fear; but there's something wrong over there. This is the first night for a week that that light hasn't appeared. "

"Still, " I pointed out, "that may have nothing to do with Swain. "

"No; but it's a coincidence that he should be in the grounds--and I'malways afraid of coincidences. Let us see if he is back, " and heturned toward the house. 

But I held his arm. 

"If he's back, " I said, "he'll have taken the ladders down from thewall. "

"That's true, " and together we made our way forward among the trees. Then we reached the wall, and there was the dim white line of theladder leaning against it. Without a word, Godfrey mounted it, stoodan instant at the top, and then came down again. 

"The other ladder is still there, " he said, and took off his cap andrubbed his head perplexedly. I could not see his face, but I couldguess how tense it was. I had been with him in many trying situations, but only once before had I seen him use that gesture!

"It won't do to alarm the house, " he said, at last. "Do you know wherehe was to meet Miss Vaughan?"

"At an arbour in one corner of the grounds, " I answered. 

"Then we'll start from there and take a quiet look for him. Wait herefor me a minute. "

He melted into the darkness, and I stood holding on to the ladder asthough in danger of falling, and staring at the top of the wall, whereI had last seen Swain. An hour and a half had passed since then. . . . 

A touch on the arm brought me around with a start. 

"Here, put this pistol in your pocket, " said Godfrey's voice, and Ifelt the weapon pressed into my hand. "And here's an electric torch. Do you feel the button?"

"Yes, " I said, and pressed it. A ray of light shot toward the wall, but I released the button instantly. 

"You'd better keep it in your hand, " he added, "ready for action. Notelling what we'll run across. And now come ahead. "

He put his foot on the ladder, but I stopped him. 

"Look here, Godfrey, " I said, "do you realise that what we're about todo is pretty serious? Swain might have a legal excuse, since thedaughter of the house invited him to a meeting; but if we go over thewall, we're trespassers pure and simple. Anybody who runs across us inthe darkness has the right to shoot us down without asking anyquestions--and we'd have no legal right to shoot back!"

I could hear Godfrey chuckling, and I felt my cheeks redden. 

"You remind me of Tartarin, " he said; "the adventurer-Tartarin urgingyou on, the lawyer-Tartarin holding you back. My advice is to shakethe lawyer, Lester. He's out of his element here to-night. But if he'stoo strong for you, why, stay here, " and he started up the ladder. 

Burning with vexation, I started after him, but suddenly he stopped. 

"Listen!" he whispered. 

I heard something rattle against the other side of the wall; then adark figure appeared on the coping. 

I felt Godfrey press me back, and descended cautiously. A momentlater, something slid down the wall, and I knew that the person at thetop had lifted the other ladder over. Then the figure descended, andthen a distorted face stared into the circle of Godfrey's torch. 

For a breath, I did not recognise it; then I saw that it was Swain's. 

I shall never forget the shock it gave me, with its starting eyes andworking mouth and smear of blood across the forehead. Godfrey, I knew, was also startled, for the light flashed out for an instant, and thenflashed on again. 

"What is it, Swain?" I cried, and seized him by the arm; but he shookme off roughly. 

"Stand back!" he cried, hoarsely. "Who is it? What do you want?"

"It's Lester, " I said, and Godfrey flashed his torch into my face, then back to Swain's. 

"But you're not alone. "

"No; this is Mr. Godfrey. "

"Mr. Godfrey?"

"Whose house we're staying at, " I explained. 

"Ah!" said Swain, and put one hand to his head and leaned heavilyagainst the ladder. 

"I think we'd better go to the house, " Godfrey suggested, soothingly. "We all need a bracer. Then we can talk. Don't you think so, Mr. Swain?"

Swain nodded vacantly, but I could see that he had not understood. His face was still working and he seemed to be in pain. 

"I want to wash, " he said, thickly. "I cut my wrist on that damnedglass, and I'm blood all over, and my head's wrong, somehow. " Hisvoice trailed off into an unintelligible mumble, but he held one handup into the circle of light, and I saw that his cuff was soaked withblood and his hand streaked with it. 

"Come along, then, " said Godfrey peremptorily. "You're right--that cutmust be attended to, " and he started toward the house. 

"Wait!" Swain called after him, with unexpected vigour. "We must takedown the ladders. We mustn't leave them here. "

"Why not?"

"If they're found, they'll suspect--they'll know . . . " He stopped, stammering, and again his voice trailed away into a mumble, as thoughbeyond his control. 

Godfrey looked at him for a moment, and I could guess at the surpriseand suspicion in his eyes. I myself was ill at ease, for there wassomething in Swain's face--a sort of vacant horror and dumbshrinking--that filled me with a vague repulsion. And then to see hisjaw working, as he tried to form articulate words and could not, senta shiver over my scalp. 

"Very well, " Godfrey agreed, at last. "We'll take the ladders, sinceyou think it so important. You take that one, Lester, and I'll takethis. "

I stooped to raise the ladder to my shoulder, when suddenly, cuttingthe darkness like a knife, came a scream so piercing, so vibrant withfear, that I stood there crouching, every muscle rigid. Again thescream came, more poignant, more terrible, wrung from a woman's throatby the last extremity of horror; and then a silence sickening andawful. What was happening in that silence?

I stood erect, gaping, suffocated, rising as from a long submersion. Godfrey's finger had slipped from the button of his torch, and we werein darkness; but suddenly a dim figure hurled itself past us, up theladder. 

With a low cry, Godfrey snatched at it, but his hand clutched only theempty air. The next instant, the figure poised itself on the coping ofthe wall and then plunged forward out of sight. I heard the crash ofbreaking branches, a scramble, a patter of feet, and all was still. 

"It's Swain!" said Godfrey, hoarsely; "and that's a twelve-foot drop!Why, the man's mad! Hand me that ladder, Lester!" he added, for hewas already at the top of the wall. 

I lifted it, as I had done once before that night, and saw Godfreyslide it over the wall. 

"Come on!" he said. "We must save him if we can!" and he, too, disappeared. 

The next instant, I was scrambling desperately after him. Thelawyer-Tartarin had vanished!

CHAPTER VII

THE TRAGEDY

The wall was masked on the other side by a dense growth of shrubbery, and struggling through this, I found myself on the gravelled pathwhere I had seen Marjorie Vaughan. Before me, along this path, sped ashadow which I knew to be Godfrey, and I followed at top speed. At theend of a moment, I caught a flash of light among the trees, and knewthat we were nearing the house; but I saw no sign of Swain. 

We came to the stretch of open lawn, crossed it, and, guided by thelight, found ourselves at the end of a short avenue of trees. At theother end, a stream of light poured from an open door, and againstthat light a running figure was silhouetted. Even as I saw it, itbounded through the open door and vanished. 

"It's Swain!" gasped Godfrey; and then we, too, were at that opendoor. 

For an instant, I thought the room was empty. Then, from behind thetable in the centre, a demoniac, blood-stained figure rose into view, holding in its arms a white-robed woman. With a sort of nervous shock, I saw that the man was Swain, and the woman Marjorie Vaughan. Athrill of fear ran through me as I saw how her head fell backwardsagainst his shoulder, how her arms hung limp. . . . 

Without so much as a glance in our direction, he laid her gently on acouch, fell to his knees beside it, and began to chafe her wrists. 

It was Godfrey who mastered himself first, and who stepped forward toSwain's side. 

"Is she dead?" he asked. 

Swain shook his head impatiently, without looking up. 

"How is she hurt?" Godfrey persisted, bending closer above theunconscious girl. 

Swain shot him one red glance. 

"She's not hurt!" he said, hoarsely. "She has fainted--that's all. Goaway. "

But Godfrey did not go away. After one burning look at Swain'slowering face, he bent again above the still figure on the couch, andtouched his fingers to the temples. What he saw or felt seemed toreassure him, for his voice was more composed when he spoke again. 

"I think you're right, Swain, " he said. "But we'd better callsomeone. "

"Call away!" snarled Swain. 

"You mean there's no one here? Surely, her father . . . "

He stopped, for at the words Swain had burst into a hoarse laugh. 

"Her father!" he cried. "Oh, yes; he's here! Call him! He's overthere!"

He made a wild gesture toward a high-backed easy-chair beside thetable, his eyes gleaming with an almost fiendish excitement; then thegleam faded, and he turned back to the girl. 

Godfrey cast one astonished glance at him and strode to the chair. Isaw his face quiver with sudden horror, I saw him catch at the tablefor support, and for an instant he stood staring down. Then he turnedstiffly toward me and motioned me to approach. 

In the chair a man sat huddled forward--a grey-haired man, clad in awhite robe. His hands were gripping the chair-arms as though in agony. His head hung down almost upon his knees. 

Silently Godfrey reached down and raised the head. And a cry of horrorburst from both of us. 

The face was purple with congested blood, the tongue swollen andhorribly protruding, the eyes suffused and starting from theirsockets. And then, at a motion from Godfrey's finger, I saw that aboutthe neck a cord was tightly knotted. The man had been strangled. 

Godfrey, after a breathless moment in which he made sure that the manwas quite dead, let the head fall forward again. It turned me sick tosee how low it sagged, how limp it hung. And I saw that the collar ofthe white robe was spotted with blood. 

I do not know what was in Godfrey's mind, but, by a common impulse, weturned and looked at Swain. He was still on his knees beside thecouch. Apparently he had forgotten our presence. 

"It's plain enough, " said Godfrey, his voice thick with emotion. "Shecame in and found the body. No wonder she screamed like that! Butwhere are the servants? Where is everybody?"

The same thought was in my own mind. The utter silence of the house, the fact that no one came, added, somehow, to the horror of themoment. Those wild screams must have echoed from cellar to garret--andyet no one came!

Godfrey made a rapid scrutiny of the room, which was evidently thelibrary, with a double door opening upon the grounds and anotheropposite opening into the hall. On the wall beside the inner door, hefound an electric button, and he pushed it for some moments, but therewas no response. If it rang a bell, the bell was so far away that wecould not hear it. 

A heavy curtain hung across the doorway. Godfrey pulled it aside andpeered into the hall beyond. The hall was dark and silent. With facedecidedly grim, he took his torch from one pocket and his pistol fromanother. 

"Come along, Lester, " he said. "We've got to look into this. Have yourtorch ready--and your pistol. God knows what further horrors thishouse contains!"

He pulled back the curtain, so that the hall was lighted to someextent from the open doorway, and then passed through, I after him. The hall was a broad one, running right through the centre of thehouse from front to rear. Godfrey proceeded cautiously and yet rapidlythe whole length of it, flashing his torch into every room. They wereall luxuriously furnished, but were empty of human occupants. From thekitchen, which closed the hall at the rear, a flight of stone stepsled down into the basement, and Godfrey descended these with asteadiness I could not but admire. We found ourselves in a square, stone-flagged room, evidently used as a laundry. Two doors opened outof it, but both were secured with heavy padlocks. 

"Store-rooms or wine-cellars, perhaps, " Godfrey ventured, mounted thestairs again to the kitchen, and returned to the room whence we hadstarted. 

Everything there was as we had left it. The dead man sat huddledforward in his chair; Swain was still on his knees beside the couch;the girl had not stirred. Godfrey went to the side of the couch, and, disregarding Swain's fierce glance, again placed his fingers lightlyon the girl's left temple. Then he came back to me. 

"If she doesn't revive pretty soon, " he said, "we'll have to tryheroic measures. But there must be somebody in the house. Let's lookupstairs. "

He led the way up the broad stairs, which rose midway of the hall, sending a long ray of light ahead of him. I followed in no very happyframe of mind, for I confess that this midnight exploration of anunknown house, with a murdered man for its only occupant, was gettingon my nerves. But Godfrey proceeded calmly and systematically. 

The hall above corresponded to that below, with two doors on eachside, opening into bedroom suites. The first was probably that of themaster of the house. It consisted of bedroom, bath and dressing-room, but there was no one there. The next was evidently Miss Vaughan's. Italso had a bath and a daintily-furnished boudoir; but these, too, wereempty. 

Then, as we opened the door across the hall, a strange odour salutedus--an odour suggestive somehow of the East--which, in the firstmoment, caught the breath from the throat, and in the second seemed tomuffle and retard the beating of the heart. 

A flash of Godfrey's torch showed that we were in a little entry, closed at the farther end by a heavy drapery. Godfrey strode forwardand swept the drapery aside. The rush of perfume was over-powering, and through the opening came a soft glow of light. 

It was a moment before I got my breath; then a mist seemed to fallfrom before my eyes and a strange sense of exaltation and well-beingstole through me. I saw Godfrey standing motionless, transfixed, withone hand holding back the drapery, and his torch hanging unused in theother, and I crept forward and peered over his shoulder at thestrangest scene I have ever gazed upon. 

Just in front of us, poised in the air some three feet from the floor, hung a sphere of crystal, glowing with a soft radiance which seemed towax and wane, to quiver almost to darkness and then to burn moreclearly. It was like a dreamer's pulse, fluttering, pausing, leaping, in accord with his vision. And as I gazed at the sphere, I fancied Icould see within it strange, elusive shapes, which changed and mergedand faded from moment to moment, and yet grew always clearer and moresuggestive. I bent forward, straining my eyes to see them better, tofathom their meaning . . . 

Godfrey, turning to speak to me, saw my attitude and shook me roughlyby the arm. 

"Don't do that, Lester!" he growled in my ear. "Take your eyes offthat crystal!"

I tried to move my eyes, but could not, until Godfrey pulled me aroundto face him. I stood blinking at him stupidly. 

"I was nearly gone, myself, before I realised the danger, " he said. "Asphere like that can hypnotise a man more quickly than anything elseon earth, especially when his resistance is lessened, as it is by thisheavy perfume. "

"It was rather pleasant, " I said. "I should like to try it some time. "

"Well, you can't try it now. You've got something else to do. Besides, it has two victims already. "

"Two victims?"

"Look carefully, but keep your eyes off the sphere, " he said, andswung me around toward the room again. 

The room was shrouded in impenetrable darkness, except for the faintand quivering radiance which the sphere emitted, and as I plunged myeyes into its depths in an effort to see what lay there, it seemed tome that I had never seen blackness so black. As I stared into it, with straining eyes, a vague form grew dimly visible beside theglowing sphere; and then I recoiled a little, for suddenly it tookshape and I saw it was a man. 

I had a queer fancy, as I stood there, that it was really a pictureinto which I was gazing--one of Rembrandt's--for, gradually, onedetail after another emerged from the darkness, vague shadows took onshape and meaning, but farther back there was always more shadow, andfarther back still more . . . 

The man was sitting cross-legged on a low divan, his hands crossed infront of him and hanging limply between his knees. His clothing Icould see but vaguely, for it was merged into the darkness about him, but his hands stood out white against it. He was staring straight atthe crystal, with unwavering and unwinking gaze, and sat as motionlessas though carved in stone. The glow from the sphere picked out hisprofile with a line of light--I could see the high forehead, thestrong, curved nose, the full lips shaded by a faint moustache, andthe long chin, only partially concealed by a close-clipped beard. Itwas a wonderful and compelling face, especially as I then saw it, andI gazed at it for a long moment. 

"It's the adept, I suppose, " said Godfrey, no longer taking care tolower his voice. 

It sounded unnaturally loud in the absolute stillness of the room, and I looked at the adept quickly, but he had not moved. 

"Can't he hear you?" I asked. 

"No--he couldn't hear a clap of thunder. That is, unless he's faking. "

I looked again at the impassive figure. 

"He's not faking, " I said. 

"I don't know, " and Godfrey shook his head sceptically. "It looks likethe real thing--but these fellows are mighty clever. Do you see theother victim? There's no fake about it!"

"I see no one else, " I said, after a vain scrutiny. 

"Look carefully on the other side of the sphere. Don't you seesomething there?"

My eyes were smarting under the strain, and for a moment longer I sawnothing; then a strange, grey shape detached itself from theblackness. It was an ugly and repulsive shape, slender below, butswelling hideously at the top, and as I stared at it, it seemed to methat it returned my stare with malignant eyes screened by a pair ofwhite-rimmed glasses. Then, with a sensation of dizziness, I saw thatthe shape was swaying gently back and forth, in a sort of rhythm. Andthen, quite suddenly, I saw what it was, and a chill of horrorquivered up my back. 

It was a cobra. 

To and fro it swung, to and fro, its staring eyes fixed upon thesphere, its spectacled hood hideously distended. 

The very soul within me trembled as I gazed at those unwinking eyes. What did they see in the sphere? What was passing in that inscrutablebrain? Could it, too, reconstruct the past, read the mysteries of thefuture . . . 

Some awful power, greater than my will, seemed stretching itstentacles from the darkness: I felt them dragging at me, certain, remorseless, growing stronger and stronger . . . 

With something very like a shriek of terror, I tore myself away, outof the entry, into the hall, to the stairs, and down them into thelighted room below. 

And as I stood there, gasping for breath, Godfrey followed me, and Isaw that his face, too, was livid. 

CHAPTER VIII

A FRESH ENIGMA

Godfrey met my eyes with a little deprecating smile, put his torch inone pocket, took a handkerchief from another, and mopped his forehead. 

"Rather nerve-racking, wasn't it, Lester?" he remarked, and then hisgaze wandered to the couch, and he stepped toward it quickly. 

I saw that a change had come in Miss Vaughan's condition. Her eyeswere still closed, but her body no longer lay inert and lifeless, forfrom moment to moment it was shaken by a severe nervous tremor. Godfrey's face was very grave as he looked at her. 

"Stop stroking her wrists, Swain, " he said; "that does no good, " andwhen Swain, without answering or seeming to hear, kept on strokingthem, Godfrey drew the hands away, took Swain by the arm, andhalf-lifted him to his feet. "Listen to me, " he said, more sternly, and shook him a little, for Swain's eyes were dull and vacant. "I wantyou to sit quietly in a chair for a while, till you get your sensesback. Miss Vaughan is seriously ill and must not be disturbed in anyway. I'm going to get a doctor and a nurse at once; they'll do whatneeds to be done. Until then, she must be left alone. Understand?"

Swain nodded vaguely, and permitted Godfrey to lead him to a chairnear the outer door, where he sat down. As his hand fell across thearm of the chair, I could see that a little blood was still oozingfrom the wound on the wrist. Godfrey saw it, too, and picked up thehand and looked at it. Then he laid it gently down again and glancedat his watch. I followed his example, and saw that it was half-pastone. 

"Have you nerve enough to stay here half an hour by yourself, Lester?"he asked. 

"By myself?" I echoed, and glanced at the dead man and at thequivering girl. 

"I've got to run over to my place to get a few things and do sometelephoning, " he explained. "We must get a doctor up here at once; andthen there's the police--I'll try to get Simmonds. Will you stay?"

"Yes, " I said, "of course. But please get back as soon as you can. "

"I will, " he promised, and, after a last look around the room, steppedout upon the walk. 

I went to the door and looked after him until the sound of hisfootsteps died away. Then, feeling very lonely, I turned back into theroom. Those regular tremors were still shaking the girl's body in away that seemed to me most alarming, but there was nothing I could dofor her, and I finally pulled a chair to Swain's side. He, at least, offered a sort of companionship. He was sitting with his head hangingforward in a way that reminded me most unpleasantly of the huddledfigure by the table, and did not seem to be aware of my presence. Itried to draw him into talk, but a slight nod from time to time wasall I could get from him, and I finally gave it up. Mechanically, myhand sought my coat pocket and got out my pipe--yes, that was what Ineeded; and, sitting down in the open doorway, I filled it and lighted up. 

My nerves grew calmer, presently, and I was able to think connectedlyof the events of the night, but there were two things which, looked atfrom any angle, I could not understand. One was Swain's dazed andincoherent manner; the other was the absence of servants. 

As to Swain, I believed him to be a well-poised fellow, not easilyupset, and certainly not subject to attacks of nerves. What hadhappened to him, then, to reduce him to the pitiable condition inwhich he had come back to us over the wall, and in which he was stillplunged? The discovery of the murder and of Miss Vaughan's senselessbody might have accounted for it, but his incoherence had antedatedthat--unless, indeed, he knew of the murder before he left thegrounds. That thought gave me a sudden shock, and I put it away fromme, not daring to pursue it farther. 

As to the house, its deserted condition seemed sinister andthreatening. It was absurd to suppose that an establishment such asthis could be carried on without servants, or with less than three orfour. But where were they? And then I remembered that Godfrey and Ihad not completed our exploration of the house. We had stopped at thegruesome room where the adept and his serpent gazed unwinking into thecrystal sphere. There was at least one suite on the same floor we hadnot looked into, and no doubt there were other rooms on the atticfloor above. But that any one could have slept on undisturbed by thosepiercing screams and by our own comings and goings seemedunbelievable. Perhaps there were separate quarters in the groundssomewhere--

And then, without conscious will of my own, I felt my body stiffen andmy fingers grip my pipe convulsively. A slow tremor seemed to startfrom the end of my spine, travel up it, and pass off across my scalp. There was someone in the room behind me; someone with gleaming eyesfixed upon me; and I sat there rigidly, straining my ears, expectingI knew not what--a blow upon the head, a cord about the neck. 

A rapid step came up the walk and Godfrey appeared suddenly out of thedarkness. 

"Well, Lester, " he began; but I sprang to my feet and faced the room, for I could have sworn that I had heard behind me the rustle of asilken dress. But there was no one there except Swain and Miss Vaughanand the dead man--and none of them had moved. 

"What is it?" Godfrey asked, stepping past me into the room. 

"There was someone there, Godfrey, " I said. "I'm sure of it--I feltsomeone--I felt his eyes on me--and then, as you spoke, I heard therustle of a dress. "

"Of a dress?"

"Or of a robe, " and my thoughts were on the bearded man upstairs. 

Godfrey glanced at me, crossed the room, and looked out into the hall. Then he turned back to me. 

"Well, whoever it was, " he said, and I could see that he thought myears had deceived me, "he has made good his escape. There'll be adoctor and a nurse here in a few minutes, and I got Simmonds and toldhim to bring Goldberger along. He can't get here for an hour anyway. And I've got a change here for Swain, " he added, with a gesturetoward some garments he carried over one arm; "also a bracer to beadministered to him, " and he drew a flask from his pocket and handedit to me. "Maybe you need one, yourself, " he added, smiling drily, "since you've taken to hearing rustling robes. "

"I do, " I said, "though not on that account, " and I raised the flaskto my lips and took a long swallow. 

"Suppose you take Swain up to the bath-room, " Godfrey suggested, "andhelp him to get cleaned up. I'll go down to the gate and wait for thedoctor. "

"The gate's probably locked. "

"I thought of that, " and he drew a small but heavy hammer from hispocket. "I'll smash the lock, if there's no other way. I'd like you toget Swain into shape before anyone arrives, " he added. "He's not aprepossessing object as he is. "

"No, he isn't, " I agreed, looking at him, and I took the garmentswhich Godfrey held out to me. Then I went over to Swain and put theflask into his uninjured hand. "Take a drink of that, " I said. 

He did not understand at first; then he put the flask to his lips anddrank eagerly--so eagerly that I had to draw it away. He watched melongingly as I screwed on the cap and slipped it into my pocket; andthere was more colour in his face and a brighter light in his eyes. 

"Now, come along, " I said, "and get that cut fixed up. "

He rose obediently and followed me out into the hall. Godfrey hadpreceded us, found the light-switch after a brief search, and turnedit on. 

"There's a switch in the bath-room, too, no doubt, " he said. "Bringhim down again, as soon as you get him fixed up. You'll find somecotton and gauze in one of the pockets of the coat. "

Swain followed me up the stair and into the bath-room. He seemed tounderstand what I intended doing, for he divested himself of coat andshirt and was soon washing arms and face vigorously. Then he driedhimself, and stood patiently while I washed and bandaged the cut onthe wrist. It was not a deep one, and had about stopped bleeding. 

"Feel better?" I asked. 

"Yes, " he said, and without waiting for me to tell him, slipped intothe clean shirt which Godfrey had brought, attached the collar andtied the tie, all this quite composedly and without hesitation orclumsiness. Yet I felt, in some indefinable way, that something wasseriously wrong with him. His eyes were vacant and his face flabby, asthough the muscles were relaxed. It gave me the feeling that hisintelligence was relaxed, too!

He picked up his own coat, but I stopped him. 

"Don't put that on, " I said, speaking to him as I would have spoken toa child. "The sleeve is blood-stained and there's a long tear down theside. Take this one, " and I held out the light lounging-coat Godfreyhad brought with him. 

Swain laid down his own garment without a word and put on the otherone. I rolled the soiled garments into a bundle, took them under myarm, turned out the lights, and led the way downstairs. 

A murmur of voices from the library told me that someone had arrived, and when I reached the door, I saw that it was the doctor and thenurse. The former was just rising from a rapid examination of thequivering figure on the couch. 

"We must get her to bed at once, " he said, turning to Godfrey. "Herbedroom's upstairs, I suppose?"

"Yes, " said Godfrey; "shall I show you the way?"

The doctor nodded and, lifting the girl carefully in his arms, followed Godfrey out into the hall. The nurse picked up amedicine-case from the floor and followed after. 

I had expected Swain to rush forward to the couch, to make a scene, perhaps, and had kept my hand upon his arm; but to my astonishment hedid not so much as glance in that direction. He stood patiently besideme, with his eyes on the floor, and when my restraining hand fellaway, he walked slowly to the chair in which he had been sitting, anddropped into it, relaxing limply as with fatigue. 

Godfrey was back in a moment. 

"That doctor was the nearest one I could find, " he said. "He seems tobe all right. But if Miss Vaughan isn't better in the morning, I'llget a specialist out. "

"Godfrey, " I said, in a low tone, "there's something the matter withSwain, " and I motioned to where he sat, flaccid and limp, apparentlyhalf-asleep. "He is suffering from shock, or something of that sort. It's something more, anyway, than over-wrought nerves. He seems to beonly half-conscious. "

"I noticed it, " said Godfrey, with a little nod. "We'll have thedoctor look at him when he comes down, " and he sank wearily into achair. "This has been a pretty strenuous night, Lester. "

"Yes; and it isn't over yet. I wonder what the man with the snake isdoing?"

"Still staring into the crystal, no doubt. Do you want to go and see?"

"No, " I said decidedly, "I don't. Godfrey, " I added, "doesn't theabsence of servants seem strange to you?"

"Very strange. But, I dare say, we'll find them aroundsomewhere--though they seem to be sound sleepers! We didn't lookthrough the whole house, you know. I'm not going to, either; I'm goingto let the police do that. They ought to be here pretty soon. I toldSimmonds to bring two or three men with him. "

I glanced at the huddled body of the murdered man. With all thenight's excitements and surprises, we had not even touched upon thatmystery. Not a single gleam of light had been shed upon it, and yet itwas the centre about which all these other strange occurrencesrevolved. Whose hand was it had thrown that cord about the throat anddrawn it tight? What motive lay behind? Fearsome and compelling mustthe motive be to drive a man to such a crime! Would Simmonds be ableto divine that motive, to build the case up bit by bit until themurderer was found? Would Godfrey?

I turned my head to look at him. He was lying back in his chair, hiseyes closed, apparently lost in thought, and for long minutes therewas no movement in the room. 

At last the doctor returned, looking more cheerful than when he hadleft the room. He had given Miss Vaughan an opiate and she wassleeping calmly; the nervous trembling had subsided and he hoped thatwhen she waked she would be much better. The danger was that brainfever might develop; she had evidently suffered a very severe shock. 

"Yes, " said Godfrey, "she discovered her father strangled in the chairyonder. "

"I saw the body when I came in, " the doctor remarked, imperturbably. "So it's her father, is it?"

"Yes. "

"And strangled, you say?"

Godfrey answered with a gesture, and the doctor walked over to thebody, glanced at the neck, then disengaged one of the tightly clenchedhands from the chair-arm, raised it and let it fall. I could not butenvy his admirable self-control. 

"How long has he been dead?" Godfrey asked. 

"Not more than two or three hours, " the doctor answered. "The musclesare just beginning to stiffen. It looks like murder, " he added, andtouched the cord about the neck. 

"It _is_ murder. "

"You've notified the police?"

"They will be here soon. "

I saw the doctor glance at Godfrey and then at me, plainly puzzled asto our footing in the house; but if there was a question in his mind, he kept it from his lips and turned back again to the huddled body. 

"Any clue to the murderer?" he asked, at last. 

"We have found none. "

And then the doctor stooped suddenly and picked up something from thefloor beside the chair. 

"Perhaps this is a clue, " he said, quietly, and held to the light anobject which, as I sprang to my feet, I saw to be a blood-stainedhandkerchief. 

He spread it out under our eyes, handling it gingerly, for it wasstill damp, and we saw it was a small handkerchief--a woman'shandkerchief--of delicate texture. It was fairly soaked with blood, and yet in a peculiar manner, for two of the corners were muchcrumpled but quite unstained. 

The doctor raised his eyes to Godfrey's. 

"What do you make of it?" he asked. 

"A clue, certainly, " said Godfrey; "but scarcely to the murderer. "

The doctor looked at it again for a moment, and then nodded. "I'dbetter put it back where I found it, I guess, " he said, and dropped itbeside the chair. 

And then, suddenly, I remembered Swain. I turned to find him stilldrooping forward in his chair, apparently half-asleep. 

"Doctor, " I said, "there is someone else here who is suffering fromshock, " and I motioned toward the limp figure. "Or perhaps it'ssomething worse than that. "

The doctor stepped quickly to the chair and looked down at itsoccupant. Then he put his hand under Swain's chin, raised his head andgazed intently into his eyes. Swain returned the gaze, but plainly inonly a half-conscious way. 

"It looks like a case of concussion, " said the doctor, after a moment. "The left pupil is enlarged, " and he ran his hand rapidly over theright side of Swain's head. "I thought so, " he added. "There's aconsiderable swelling. We must get him to bed. " Then he noticed thebandaged wrist. "What's the matter here?" he asked, touching it withhis finger. 

"He cut himself on a piece of glass, " Godfrey explained. "You'd bettertake him over to my place, where he can be quiet. "

"I've got my car outside, " said the doctor, and together he and Iraised Swain from the chair and led him to it. 

He went docilely and without objection, and ten minutes later, wassafely in bed, already dozing off under the influence of the opiatethe doctor had given him. "He'll be all right in the morning, " thelatter assured me. "But he must have got quite a blow over the head. "

"I don't know what happened to him, " I answered. "You'll come backwith me, won't you?"

"Yes; I may be useful, " and he turned the car back the way we hadcome. "Besides, " he added, frankly, "I'm curious to learn whathappened in that house to-night. "

He had certainly shown himself equal to emergencies, I reflected; andI liked his voice and his manner, which was cool and capable. 

"My name is Lester, " I said. "I'm a lawyer staying with Mr. Godfrey. We heard Miss Vaughan scream and ran over to the house, but we don'tknow any more than you do. "

"My name is Hinman, and I'm just a country doctor, " said my companion;"but if I can be of any help, I hope you'll call upon me. Hello!" headded, as we turned through the gate into the grounds of Elmhurst, andhe threw on the brake sharply, for a uniformed figure had stepped outinto the glare of our lamps and held up his hand. 

The police had arrived. 

CHAPTER IX

FIRST STEPS

We found a little group of men gathered about the chair in which satthe huddled body. Two of them I already knew. One was Detective-sergeantSimmonds, and the other Coroner Goldberger, both of whom I had metin previous cases. Simmonds was a stolid, unimaginative, butindustrious and efficient officer, with whom Godfrey had longago concluded an alliance offensive and defensive. In other words, Godfrey threw what glory he could to Simmonds, and Simmonds suchstories as he could to Godfrey, and so the arrangement was to theirmutual advantage. 

Goldberger was a more astute man than the detective, in that hepossessed a strain of Semitic imagination, a quick wit, and a fairdegree of insight. He was in his glory in a case like this. This wasshown now by his gleaming eyes and the trembling hand which pullednervously at his short, black moustache. Goldberger's moustache was agood index to his mental state--the more ragged it grew, the morebaffling he found the case in hand!

Both he and Simmonds glanced up at our entrance and nodded briefly. Then their eyes went back to that huddled figure. 

There were three other men present whom I did not know, but I judgedthem to be the plain-clothes-men whom Simmonds had brought along atGodfrey's suggestion. They stood a little to one side until theirsuperiors had completed the examination. 

"I didn't stop to pick up my physician, " Goldberger was saying. "Butthe cause of death is plain enough. "

"Doctor Hinman here is a physician, " I said, bringing him forward. "Ifhe can be of any service. . . . "

Goldberger glanced at him, and was plainly favorably impressed byHinman's dark, eager face, and air of intelligence and self-control. 

"I shall be very glad of Dr. Hinman's help, " said Goldberger, shakinghands with him. "Have you examined the body, sir?"

"Only very casually, " answered Hinman. "But it is evident that thecause of death was strangulation. "

"How long has he been dead?"

Hinman lifted the stiff hand again and ran his fingers along themuscles of the arm. 

"About four hours, I should say. "

Goldberger glanced at his watch. 

"That would put his death at a little before midnight. The murderermust have come in from the grounds, crept up behind his victim, thrownthe cord about his neck and drawn it tight before his presence wassuspected. The victim would hardly have remained seated in the chairif he had known his danger. After the cord was round his throat, hehad no chance--he could not even cry out. There's one thing I don'tunderstand, though, " he added, after a moment. "Where did that bloodcome from?" and he pointed to the dark spots on the collar of thewhite robe. 

Hinman looked up with a little exclamation. 

"I forgot, " he said. "Did you find the handkerchief? No, I see youdidn't, " and he pointed to where it lay on the floor. "I noticed itwhen I first looked at the body. "

Without a word, Goldberger bent and picked up the blood-stainedhandkerchief. Then he and Simmonds examined it minutely. Finally thecoroner looked at Godfrey, and his eyes were very bright. 

"There can be only one inference, " he said. "The dead man is notbleeding--the cord did not cut the flesh. The blood, then, must havecome from the murderer. He must have been injured in someway--bleeding profusely. Look at this handkerchief--it is fairlysoaked. "

I am sure that, at that instant, the same thought was in Godfrey'smind which flashed through mine, for our eyes met, and there was ashadow in his which I knew my own reflected. Then I glanced at Hinman. He was looking at the handkerchief thoughtfully, his lips tightlyclosed. I could guess what he was thinking, but he said nothing. 

Goldberger laid the handkerchief on the table, at last, and turnedback to the body. He bent close above it, examining the blood spots, and when he stood erect again there was in his face a strangeexcitement. 

"Lend me your glass, Simmonds, " he said, and when Simmonds handed hima small pocket magnifying-glass, he unfolded it and bent above thestains again, scrutinising each in turn. At last he closed the glasswith an emphatic little snap. "This case isn't going to be sodifficult, after all, " he said. "Those spots are finger-prints. "

With an exclamation of astonishment, Simmonds took the glass andexamined the stains; then he handed it to Godfrey, who finally passedit on to me. Looking through it, I saw that Goldberger was right. Thestains had been made by human fingers. Most of them were meresmudges, but here and there was one on which faint lines could bedimly traced. 

"They seem to be pretty vague, " I remarked, passing the glass on toHinman. 

"They're plenty clear enough for our purpose, " said Goldberger;"besides they will come out much clearer in photographs. It's luckythis stuff is so smooth and closely-woven, " he added, fingering acorner of the robe, "or we wouldn't have got even those. It's as hardand fine as silk. "

"How do you suppose those marks came there, Mr. Goldberger?" Godfreyasked, and there was in his tone a polite scepticism which evidentlyannoyed the coroner. 

"Why, there's only one way they could come there, " Goldberger answeredimpatiently. "They were put there by the murderer's fingers as he drewthe cord tight. Do you see anything improbable in that?"

"Only that it seems too good to be true, " Godfrey answered, quietly, and Goldberger, after looking at him a moment, turned away with ashrug of the shoulders. 

"See if you can get the cord loose, Simmonds, " he said. 

The cord was in the form of a running noose, which had been knottedto hold it in place after being drawn tight. Although it had not cutthe flesh of the neck, it had sunk deeply into it, and Simmonds workedat the knot for some moments without result. I suspect his fingerswere not quite as steady as they might have been; but it was evidentlyan intricate knot. 

"That's a new one on me, " he said, at last. "I can't get it loose. "

Godfrey bent close above it and looked at it. 

"It _is_ a peculiar knot, " he agreed. "If you'll permit a suggestion, Mr. Goldberger, you'll cut the cord and leave the knot as it is. Itmay help us to find the man who made it. "

"You're right, " agreed Goldberger, promptly. "Cut the cord, Simmonds. "

Simmonds got out his pocket-knife, opened it and slipped the bladeunder the cord, cut it, and pulled it out of the ridge of flesh. Helooked at it a moment, and then handed it to Goldberger. The latterexamined it carefully. 

"It's stained with blood, too, " he remarked, and passed it on toGodfrey. 

"It looks like curtain-cord, " Godfrey said, and made a little tour ofthe room. "Ah!" he added, after a moment, from the door opening intothe grounds. "See here!"

He was holding up the end of the cord by which the curtains coveringthe upper part of the double doors were controlled. 

"You were right, Mr. Coroner, " he said, "in thinking that the murdererentered by this door, for he stopped here and cut off a piece of thiscord before going on into the room. "

"Then he must also have stopped to make it into a noose, " remarkedGoldberger. "If he did that, he was certainly a cool customer. It's awonder his victim didn't hear the noise he made. "

"Making a knot isn't a noisy operation, " Godfrey pointed out;"besides, the back of the chair was toward the door. And then, ofcourse, it's possible his victim _did_ hear him. "

"But then he would have jumped from the chair, " objected Simmonds. 

"Not necessarily. Suppose you were sitting there, and heard a noise, and looked around and saw me standing here, you wouldn't jump from thechair, would you?"

"No; I'd have no reason to jump from you. "

"Perhaps Vaughan thought he had no reason to jump from the man _he_saw--if he saw anyone. I'm inclined to think, however, that he didn'tsuspect anyone else was in the room until he felt the cord about histhroat. "

"And, of course, " said Goldberger, taking the cord again and lookingat it, "it was while the murderer was making it into a noose with hisblood-stained fingers that he stained it in that way. Don't you agree, Mr. Godfrey?"

"That is a possible explanation, " Godfrey conceded. 

"But why did he make this second knot?" inquired the coroner; "theknot which holds the noose tight and prevents it from slipping?"

"If he hadn't knotted it like that he would have had to stand thereholding it until his victim was dead. As it was, he didn't have towait. "

I shivered a little at the thought of the scoundrel calmly tying theknot to secure his noose, and then leaving his victim to twitch hislife out. 

"It's no little trick to tie a knot like that, " Godfrey added, thoughtfully. "I should like to study it. "

"All right, " agreed Goldberger; "you can have it whenever you wantit, " and he got a heavy manila envelope out of his pocket and placedthe cord carefully inside. "Now we must get that robe off. We can'trun any risk of having those finger-prints smeared. "

It was a difficult job and a revolting one, for the body had stiffenedinto its huddled posture, but at last the robe was removed and thebody itself lying at full length on its back on the couch. Seen thus, with the light full on it, the face was horrible, and Goldberger laidhis handkerchief over the swollen and distorted features, while, at asign from him, Simmonds pulled down the portière from the inner doorand placed it over the body. Then the coroner picked up the robe andheld it out at arms' length. 

"What kind of a freak dress is this, anyway?" he asked. 

"It's a robe, " said Godfrey. "Mr. Vaughan was a mystic. "

"A what?"

"A mystic--a believer in Hinduism or some other Oriental religion. "

"Did he dress this way all the time?"

"I believe so. It is probably the dress of his order. "

Goldberger rolled the robe up carefully, and said nothing more; but Icould see from his expression that he had ceased to wonder why Vaughanhad come to a strange and violent end. Surely anything might happen toa mystic! Then he placed the blood-stained handkerchief in anotherenvelope, and finally put his hand in his pocket and brought out halfa dozen cigars. 

"Now, " he said, "let's sit down and rest awhile. Simmonds tells me itwas you who called him, Mr. Godfrey. How did you happen to discoverthe crime?"

The question was asked carelessly, but I could feel the alert mindbehind it. I knew that Godfrey felt it, too, from the way in which hetold the story, for he told it carefully, and yet with an air ofkeeping nothing back. 

Of the mysterious light he said nothing, but, starting with my findingof the letter and summoning Swain to receive it, told of thearrangements for the rendezvous, dwelling upon it lightly, as alove-affair which could have no connection with the tragedy. He passedon to his own arrival from the city, to Swain's return from therendezvous, and finally to the screams which had reached us, and tothe discovery we had made when we burst into the house. 

"I summoned Dr. Hinman immediately, " he added, "for Miss Vaughanseemed to be in a serious condition; then I called Simmonds, andsuggested that he stop for you, Mr. Coroner, for I knew that the casewould interest you. Dr. Hinman arrived perhaps half an hour ahead ofyou, and had Miss Vaughan put to bed at once. And I guess you know therest, " he concluded. 

We had all listened intently. I was pretty sure that Simmonds wouldmake no inferences which Godfrey wished to avoid; but I feared themore penetrating mind of the coroner. His first question proved that Iwas right to do so. 

"Where is this man Swain?" he asked. 

"He was suffering from the shock, " said Godfrey, "and Lester and Dr. Hinman took him over to my place and put him to bed. That's where theywere when you got here. "

"He seemed to be suffering from a slight concussion, " Hinmanexplained. "There was a swelling on one side of his head, as thoughsome one had struck him, and the pupils of his eyes wereunsymmetrical. He had also a cut on the wrist, " he added, after aninstant's hesitation. 

"Ah!" commented Goldberger, with a glance at Godfrey. "Had it beenbleeding?"

"He cut himself when crossing the wall, " Godfrey explained; "a merescratch, but I believe it _did_ bleed a good deal. "

"Ah!" said Goldberger again; and then he turned to the doctor. "Did Iunderstand you to say that he went to sleep?"

"He certainly did. I gave him a good strong opiate to make sure ofit. "

"Do you think he'll sleep till morning?"

"He'll sleep nine or ten hours, at least. "

"Then _that's_ all right, " said Goldberger, and settled back in hischair again. "But didn't anybody live in this house except that oldman and his daughter? Aren't there any servants?"

"There must be some somewhere about, " answered Godfrey, to whom thequestion was addressed; "but Lester and I looked through the lowerfloor and part of the upper one and didn't find any. There's a bellthere by the door, but nobody answered when I rang. We didn't havetime to go all over the house. We _did_ find one thing, though, " headded, as if by an afterthought. 

"What was that?"

"There's an adept in one of the rooms upstairs. "

Goldberger sat up and stared at him. 

"An adept?" he repeated. "What's that?"

"An expert in mysticism. I judge that Vaughan was his pupil. "

"Do you mean he's a Hindu?" asked the coroner, as though that wouldexplain everything. 

But Godfrey was having his revenge. 

"I don't know whether he's a Hindu or not, " he said, airily. "I didn'tget a very good look at him. "

"What was he doing?" Goldberger demanded. 

"He was just sitting there. "

Again Goldberger stared at him, this time suspiciously. 

"But, good heavens, man!" he cried. "That was three or four hours ago!You don't suppose he's sitting there yet!"

"Yes, " said Godfrey drily, "I think he is. "

Goldberger's face flushed, and he sprang to his feet impatiently. 

"Show me the room, " he commanded. 

"Glad to, " said Godfrey laconically, and led the way out into thehall. 

The whole crowd tailed along after him. As I rose to follow, I sawthat the outside world was turning grey with the approaching dawn. 

The nurse, hearing our footsteps on the stairs, looked out in alarm, and held up a warning finger. Godfrey paused for a word with her. 

"How is she?" he asked. 

"Sleeping quietly, " said the nurse; "but please don't make any morenoise than you can help. "

"We won't, " Godfrey promised, and crossed the hall to the door leadinginto the little entry. Then he paused and looked around at Goldberger. "Better go slow here, " he cautioned. "The adept has a pet cobra. "

"A snake?"

"The deadliest snake in the world. "

Goldberger drew back a little, as did all the others. 

"I don't think it will bite us, though, " added Godfrey, cheerfully, "if we don't crowd it. It's sitting there, too, " and he opened theouter door, passed through, and held back the curtain at the fartherend. 

I was just behind Goldberger and Simmonds, and I heard their gasp ofamazement, as they saw what lay beyond. 

The scene had not changed in the slightest detail. The crystal spherestill softly glowed, with intangible shadows flitting across itssurface; the adept still sat cross-legged staring into its depths;opposite him, the cobra, its hood distended, swayed slowly to and fro. 

But as we stood there staring, a single delicate ray of sunlightcoming through a pin-hole in the curtained window, struck the sphereand seemed to extinguish it. The glow within it flickered andfluttered and finally vanished, and it hung there dull and grey. Aninstant later, the motionless figure raised its arms high in air, witha motion somehow familiar; then it got slowly to its feet, crossed tothe window, drew back the curtain and flung wide the shutter. 

The sun was just peeping over the trees to the east, and for a secondits light blinded me. Then I saw the adept bowing low before it, hisarms still extended. Once, twice, thrice he bowed, as before a deity, while we stood there staring. Then he turned slowly toward us. 

"Enter, friends, " he said calmly. "The peace of the Holy One be onyou, and his love within your hearts!"

CHAPTER X

THE WHITE PRIEST OF SIVA

The adept was an impressive figure, as he stood there with the sunbehind him, throwing a yellow nimbus around his head. The robe he worewas of a rich purple, and gave an added effect of height and dignityto a figure already tall. His hair was dark and crinkled likewind-swept water, his complexion dark, but with an under-blush of redin the cheeks. His lips were scarlet and his eyes coal-black and of anarresting brilliance. The whole effect he gave was of transcendentenergy and magnetism, nor did he show the slightest fatigue from hislong vigil. 

His eyes swept our faces, as we stood crowded there in the doorway. Hedid not seem surprised. If there was any expression in his face exceptcourteous inquiry, it was one of carefully suppressed amusement. 

"Enter, friends, " he repeated. "What is it you desire?"

His voice was rich and deep, and he spoke with a peculiar intonation, but without accent. It was something of a shock to hear the ordinarywords of English speech coming from his lips, for they seemed formedto utter prophecies in unknown tongues. 

Goldberger took one step into the room, and then stopped abruptly. Following his eyes, I saw that the cobra had also awakened from itstrance, and was regarding us steadily and hissing slightly. The adeptsmiled as he saw us shrink back. 

"Do not fear, " he said. "Come, Toto, " and stepping across the room, helifted the cobra in one hand and held it a moment close to him, gentlystroking the distended hood. The snake curled itself about his arm andseemed to cuddle to him, but it kept its eyes fixed on us. I could notbut smile at the incongruity of its name. Toto was well enough for aFrench poodle, but for a cobra!

After a moment, the adept lifted the lid of a round basket which stoodon the floor near the divan, dropped the snake gently into it, andfastened down the lid. Then he clapped his hands softly, and aninstant later the curtains at the rear of the room parted and astrange figure appeared between them. 

It was the figure of a man, not over five feet tall and very thin. Hewas almost as dark as a full-blooded negro, and the white burnoosewhich was thrown about his shoulders and covered him to just belowthe hips, made him look even darker. His legs were bare and seemed tobe nothing but skin and bone. The flat-nosed face, with its full lipsand prominent eyes, reminded me of an idol I had seen picturedsomewhere. 

The newcomer bowed low before the adept, and, at a sign from him, picked up Toto's basket and disappeared with it through the curtains. He had not even glanced in our direction. The adept turned back to us. 

"Now, friends, " he said, "will you not enter?"

Goldberger led the way into the room and stopped to look about it. Thewalls were hung with black velvet, so arranged that windows and doorscould be covered also, and the room was absolutely devoid offurniture, save for a low, circular divan in the centre of which stoodthe crystal sphere, supported, as I saw now, by a slender pedestal. 

"I have a few questions to ask you, " began Goldberger at last, in avoice deferential despite himself. 

"Proceed, sir, " said the adept, courteously. 

"Do you know that Mr. Vaughan is dead?"

The adept made a little deprecating gesture. 

"Not dead, " he protested. "A man does not die. His soul rejoins theOver-soul, that is all. Yes, I know that at midnight the soul of mypupil passed over. "

"How did you learn that?" Goldberger demanded. 

"I saw it in the sphere, " replied the adept calmly. 

"Where were you at the time?"

"I was gazing at the sphere. "

"Do you mean, " asked Goldberger incredulously, "that you sat for fivehours and more staring at that thing?"

"My vigil began at sundown, " said the adept, with a slight smile. "Last night was the White Night of Siva. It must be spent inmeditation by all who follow him. "

Goldberger worried his moustache with nervous fingers, as he stared atthe adept, plainly at a loss how to proceed. 

"Perhaps, " ventured Godfrey, softly, "your crystal could give us somefurther information which we very much desire. "

The adept turned his dark eyes on the speaker, and it seemed to methat they glittered more coldly, as though they recognised anadversary. 

"What information, sir?" he asked. 

"Information as to the manner of Mr. Vaughan's passing--can you tellus anything of that?"

The adept shook his head. 

"I only saw the soul as it passed over. I knew, however, that it hadbeen torn from the body by violence. "

"How did you know that?" broke in Goldberger. 

"Because of its colour, " answered the adept; and then, when he saw ourbenumbed expressions, he explained. "Souls which pass in peace arewhite; souls which the body has driven forth by its own hands areblack; souls which are torn from the body by an alien hand are red. Mypupil's soul was red. "

I could see that Goldberger did not know whether to snort withderision or to be impressed. He ended by smiling feebly. As for me, Iadmit I was impressed. 

"When an alien hand, as you put it, is used, " said the coroner, "wecall it murder in this country, and the law tries to get hold of thealien and to send his soul after his victim's. That's what we aretrying to do now. We are officers of the law. "

The adept bowed. 

"Any assistance I can give you, " he said, softly, "I shall be glad togive; though to do murder, as you call it, is not always to do wrong. "

"Our law doesn't make such nice distinctions, " said Goldberger, drily. "May I ask your profession?"

"I am a White Priest of Siva, " said the adept, touching his foreheadlightly with the fingers of his left hand, as in reverence. 

"Who is Siva?"

"The Holy One, the Over-soul, from whom we come and to whom we allreturn. "

Again Goldberger worried his moustache. 

"Well, " he said, at last, "until the mystery is cleared up, I must askyou not to leave this house. "

"I have no wish to leave it, sir. "

"And the other fellow--the fellow who took away the snake--where washe last night?"

"He slept in a small room opening into this one. "

"May I look into it?"

"Certainly, " and the adept swept aside the curtains. 

The room into which we looked was not more than ten feet square, andempty of furniture, except for a mat in the middle of the floor andthree or four baskets set against the wall. On the mat was squattedthe attendant, his legs crossed with feet uppermost, and his handsheld palm to palm before him. On the floor in front of him were whatlooked to me like a strip of cloth, a bone and a tooth. He did notraise his eyes at our entrance, but sat calmly contemplating theserelics. 

Goldberger's moustache lost a few more hairs as he stood staring downat this strange figure. 

"What are those things? His grandmother's remains?" he asked, at last. 

"Those are the attributes of Kali, " said the adept gravely, as onerebuking blasphemy. 

"Very interesting, no doubt, " commented the coroner drily. "Would itdisturb the gentleman too much to ask him a few questions?"

"He speaks no English, but I shall be glad to translate for you. "

The coroner thought this over for a moment, and then shook his head. 

"No, " he said; "I'll wait for the court interpreter. You might tellhim, though, that there will be officers of the law on duty below, andthat he is not to leave the house. "

"I will caution him, " answered the adept, and let the curtain fall, aswe passed out. 

"I suppose there are some other servants somewhere about the place?"asked Goldberger. 

"There are three--they sleep on the floor above. "

"Are they Hindus, too?"

"Oh, no, " and the adept smiled. "Two of them are German and the otheris Irish. "

The coroner reddened a little, for the words somehow conveyed asubtle rebuke. 

"That is all for to-day, " he said; "unless Mr. Simmonds has somequestions?" and he looked at his companion. 

But Simmonds, to whom all these inquiries had plainly been successivesteps into the darkness, shook his head. 

"Then we will bid you good-morning, " added Goldberger, still a littleon his dignity. "And many thanks for your courtesy. "

The adept responded with a low bow and with a smile decidedlyironical. I, at least, felt that we had got the worst of theencounter. 

Goldberger, without a word, led the way up the stair that mounted tothe attic story, and there soon succeeded in routing out the threeservants. The Germans proved to be a man and wife, well past middleage, the former the gardener and the latter the cook. Erin wasrepresented by a red-haired girl who was the housemaid. All of themwere horrified when told their master had been murdered, but none ofthem could shed any light on the tragedy. They had all been in bedlong before midnight, and had not been disturbed by any of the noisesof the night. 

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

They were all evidently innocent of any connection with the tragedy;but Goldberger, for some ridiculous reason, brought them downstairswith him and made them look at their master's body. This had no resultexcept to send the Irish girl into hysterics, and Hinman for a fewminutes 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 hadjust got to bed when Simmonds called me. I'll set the inquest for teno'clock to-morrow morning, and I'll hold it here in this room. We'llwant you here, Mr. Godfrey, and you, Mr. Lester. And--oh, yes, " headded suddenly, "we'll want that Mr. Swain, whose story I haven'theard 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 youwill 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 topost his men, Godfrey and I stepped out upon the lawn. 

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

"We'd better go out as we came, " Godfrey said, and turned across thelawn. He walked with head down and face puckered with thought. 

"Can you make anything of it?" I asked, but he only shook his head. 

We soon reached the ladder, and Godfrey paused to look about him. Theshrubbery was broken in one place, as though some heavy body hadfallen on it, and this was evidently the mark of Swain's wild jumpfrom the wall. 

At last, Godfrey motioned me to precede him, and, when I was over, reached one ladder down to me and descended to my side. We replacedthe ladders against the shed, and then walked on toward the house. Aswe turned the corner, we found Mrs. Hargis standing on the frontporch. 

"Well, you _are_ out early!" she said. 

"Yes, " laughed Godfrey; "fact is, we haven't been to bed yet. Will youhave something to eat, Lester, before you turn in?"

A glass of milk was all I wanted; and five minutes later I mounted tomy room. I glanced in for a moment at Swain, who seemed to be sleepingpeacefully; and then darkened my room as well as I could and tumbledinto bed. I must have dropped asleep the moment my head touched thepillow, for I remember nothing more until I opened my eyes to findGodfrey standing over me. 

CHAPTER XI

SWAIN'S STORY

"I hate to wake you, Lester, " Godfrey said, smiling, "but it's nearlyfour o'clock. Dr. Hinman will be here before long, and if you're goingto hear Swain's story, you'll have to be getting up. "

I sat up in bed at once, all trace of sleepiness vanished. 

"How is he?" I asked. 

"He seems to be all right. He's been up for some time. I haven't saidanything to him about last night--I wanted the doctor to see himfirst; besides, I thought you ought to be present. "

"I'll be down right away, " I said, and twenty minutes later, I foundGodfrey and Swain sitting together on the front porch. As Swainreturned my greeting, I was relieved to see that his eyes were nolonger fixed and staring, but seemed quite normal. 

"Mrs. Hargis has your breakfast ready, " said Godfrey, "and I thinkI'll join you. Will you come, Mr. Swain?"

"No, thank you, " Swain replied. "I had my breakfast only about anhour ago. I'll just sit here, if you don't mind. "

"All right, " said Godfrey, "we won't be long, " and together we wentback to the dining-room. 

Mrs. Hargis was there, and greeted us as though stopping out till dawnand breakfasting at four o'clock in the afternoon were the mostordinary things in the world. A copy of the _Record_ was lying, asusual, on the table, and a black headline caught my eye:

 WORTHINGTON VAUGHAN MURDERED

 * * * * *

 RICH RECLUSE STRANGLED TO DEATH AT HIS HOME IN THE BRONX

 * * * * *

I glanced at Godfrey in surprise. 

"Yes, " he said, reddening a little, "I was just in time to 'phone thestory in for the last edition. I called the doctor first, though, Lester--you must give me credit for that! And it was a beautifulscoop!"

"What time did you get up?" I asked. 

"About noon. I sent down the full story for to-morrow morning's paperjust before I called you. "

"Any developments?"

"None that I know of. Of course, I haven't heard Swain's story yet. "

"Godfrey, " I said, "it seems to me that this thing is going to lookbad for Swain--I think Goldberger suspects him already. A good dealdepends upon his story. "

"Yes, it does, " Godfrey agreed. 

We finished the meal in silence. It was not a long one, for I, atleast, was anxious to get back to Swain. As we rejoined him on theporch, Dr. Hinman's car came up the drive. He got out and shook handswith us. As he greeted Swain, I saw him glance anxiously into hiseyes--and saw also that the glance reassured him. 

"You're feeling better to-day, " he said, sitting down by Swain's side. 

"Yes, " said Swain quietly, "I'm feeling all right again. "

"How is Miss Vaughan, doctor?" I asked. 

Swain jerked round toward the doctor. 

"Is Miss Vaughan ill?" he demanded. 

"She had a shock last night, " answered the doctor, slowly; "but she'sgetting along nicely. She'll have to be kept quiet for a few days. "

I was looking at Swain curiously. He was rubbing his headperplexedly, as though trying to bring some confused memory to thesurface of his mind. 

"I seem to remember, " he said, "that Miss Vaughan fainted, and that Ipicked her up. " Then he stopped and stared at us. "Is her fatherdead?"

"Yes, " I said, and he fell to rubbing his head again. 

I glanced at Hinman, and he nodded slightly. I took it for assurancethat Swain might be questioned. Godfrey, who had gone indoors to getsome cigars, came back with a handful. All of us, including Swain, lighted up. 

"Now, Swain, " I began, "I want you to tell us all that you remember oflast night's happenings. Both Mr. Godfrey and Dr. Hinman are in myconfidence and you may speak freely before them. I want them to hearyour story, because I want their advice. "

There was a pucker of perplexity on Swain's face. 

"I've been trying, ever since I woke up this morning, to straightenout my remembrance of last night, " he began, slowly; "but I haven'tsucceeded very well. At least, everything seems to stop right in themiddle. "

"Go ahead, " I said, "and tell us what you do remember. Maybe it willgrow clearer as you recall it, or maybe we can fill in the gaps. Beginat the moment you went over the wall. We know everything that happenedup to that time. You remember that clearly, don't you?"

"Oh, yes, " said Swain. "I remember all that, " and he settled back inhis chair. "Well, after I went down the ladder, I found myself in aclump of shrubbery, and beyond that was a path. I knew that the arbourwhere I was to meet Miss Vaughan was in the corner of the grounds atthe back next to Mr. Godfrey's place, so I turned back along the wall, leaving the path, which curved away from it. It was very dark underthe trees, and I had to go slowly for fear of running into one ofthem. But I finally found the arbour. I struck a match to assuremyself that it was empty, and then sat down to wait. Once or twice Ifancied I heard some one moving outside, but it was only the windamong the trees, I guess, for it was fully half an hour before MissVaughan came. "

I could see how his hand was trembling on the arm of his chair, and hepaused a moment to collect himself. 

"What Miss Vaughan told me, " he went on, at last, and I saw that ofthe details of the meeting he did not intend to speak, "convinced methat her father was quite mad--much worse than I had suspected. Iknew, of course, that he was a student of the supernatural, but sincethe coming of this yogi. . . . "

"This what?" Hinman interrupted. 

"A yogi, " Swain answered, turning toward him, "is, as nearly as I canmake out, a sort of high priest of Hinduism. He knows all its secrets, and is supposed to be able to do all sorts of supernatural things. This fellow who lived with Mr. Vaughan is a yogi. Mr. Vaughan was hisdisciple. "

"Where did the yogi come from?" Godfrey asked. 

"I don't know. I don't think Miss Vaughan knows. He arrived, with hisattendant, about six months ago; and since then things have gone frombad to worse. There has been crystal-gazing and star-worship andnecromancy of all sorts. I confess I didn't understand very much ofit, " he added. "It was all so wild and weird; but it ended not only inMr. Vaughan's becoming a convert to whatever religion it is the yogipractises, but in a determination that his daughter should become apriestess of the cult. It was from that she wished me to help her toescape. "

He stopped and again rubbed his head slowly. 

"As I tell it, " he went on, at last, "it sounds absurd andunbelievable; but as she told it, there in the darkness, with thosestrange rustlings round us, it sent the chills up and down my spine. Perhaps those Orientals _do_ know more about the supernatural than wegive them credit for; at any rate, I know that Miss Vaughan had beenimpressed with the yogi's power. It fascinated and at the same timehorrified her. She said he had a hideous snake, a cobra, which hepetted as she would pet a kitten. . . . "

His voice broke off again, and he wiped the perspiration from hisforehead. I myself felt decidedly nervous. Godfrey threw away hiscigar, which had broken in his fingers. 

"At any rate, " Swain went on, "I was so upset by what she told me thatI could think of nothing to do except to beg her to come away with meat once. I remembered my promise to you, Mr. Lester, but I was sureyou would approve. I told her about you--that it was into your handsthe letter had fallen. She said she had seen you looking at her from atree and had known at a glance that she could trust you. You didn'ttell me you were in a tree, " he added. 

"Yes, " I said, awkwardly. "I was just taking a little look over thelandscape. Rather foolish of me, wasn't it?"

"Well, it was mighty fortunate, anyway. She had written the letter, but she had no idea how she was going to get it to me. "

"You mean she couldn't go out when she wanted to?" demanded Godfrey. 

"I gathered from what she told me, " said Swain, his face flushing withanger, "that she has been practically a prisoner ever since the yogiarrived. Besides, even if she had succeeded in mailing the letter, itwouldn't have reached me until too late. "

"In what way too late?"

"Her father seems to have had a sudden turn for the worse yesterday;he became almost violent in insisting that she consent to his plan. Hetold her that the life of his own soul as well as of hers dependedupon it. He threatened--I don't know what. The yogi talked to herafterwards. He, of course, believed, or pretended to believe, as herfather did; moreover, he told her that her father would certainlysuffer a serious mental shock if she refused, perhaps a fatal one. Indespair, she finally agreed, on the condition that she be given threedays in which to prepare herself. If she did not hear from me in thattime, she had made up her mind to consent. "

Swain stopped again, and I lay back in my chair, wondering if suchthings were possible in this twentieth century, here within theboundaries of Greater New York! My brain reeled at the absurdity of it!

"Vaughan was undoubtedly suffering from mania, " said Dr. Hinman, in alow voice. "The symptoms, as Mr. Swain describes them, are unmistakable. "

"It was that argument I used, " said Swain. "I told her that, since hewas clearly mad, she must, in self-defence, place herself beyond hisreach. But she refused to leave him. Then, I argued, in kindness tohim she must have him committed to some institution where he would betaken care of, and where he might, in time, regain his sanity. I toldher that it would be criminal folly to permit him to remain longerunder the influence of the yogi. She had to agree with me; and shefinally consented to sign an affidavit to the facts as I have toldthem, and a petition asking that a commission be appointed to examineher father. You were to have drawn up the papers to-day, Mr. Lester, and I was to have taken them to her for signature to-night. "

"That would have settled the matter, " said Godfrey, thoughtfully. "It's too bad it wasn't settled in that way. What else happened, Mr. Swain?"

"Miss Vaughan had grown very nervous, with all this discussion, and atlast she sprang to her feet and said she must go, or her father woulddiscover her absence. We rose to leave the arbour, and at thatinstant, a white-robed figure sprang to her side, seized her and toreher away from me. I was too startled for an instant to resist; then, as I started toward them, Marjorie pushed me back. 

"'Go! Go!' she cried. 'It is my father!'

"But he stopped me. In a voice shaking and husky with rage, he warnedme that if I entered the place again, my life would be forfeit. Ican't repeat the horrible things he said. I could see his eyesgleaming like a wild beast's. He cursed me. I had never been cursedbefore, " and Swain smiled thinly, "and I confess it wasn't pleasant. Then he led his daughter away. 

"I stood staring after them. I didn't know what to do. I felt like amadman myself. I sat down and tried to collect my thoughts. I saw thatsome new plan must be made--that there was no hope of meeting Marjorieagain. I was sick with fear for her; I thought of following to thehouse and compelling her to come with me at once. And then, suddenly, I saw two eyes gleaming at me. They were not human eyes--they were tooclose together--and they were swaying gently back and forth in theair, about a foot from the ground. I gazed at them, fascinated, andthen I heard a soft, low whistle, followed by a faint hissing, as theeyes fell forward. 

"In a flash, I knew what it was--the cobra; I knew why it wasthere--Vaughan had said my life was forfeit. I sprang up with ashriek, dashed along the seat to the door and out into the darkness. Istruck my head against something--a tree, I suppose; but I kept on, and reached the wall and got over it somehow--it is all confused, after that. I seem to remember hearing Marjorie scream, and findingher lying beside her father, who was dead--but I can't put thingstogether, " and he rubbed his head helplessly. 

"I'll put them together for you, " said Godfrey. "When you ran into thetree, you suffered a partial concussion. It's lucky it wasn't total, or Toto would have got you!"

"Toto?"

"That, I believe, is the cobra's name, " explained Godfrey, with asmile; "unless, of course, there are two of them. " And he told Swainin detail of the events which had followed. 

Swain listened with staring eyes. I did not blame him. Indeed, I feltthat my own eyes were staring a little, though I already knew thestory. But Godfrey, with a gift of narration born of long newspaperexperience, told it in a way that made its horror salient and left onegasping. 

"There is one question I want to ask you, Swain, " he said, inconclusion, "and I want you to think carefully before you answer it. During your altercation with Mr. Vaughan, did you at any time touchhim?"

"Touch him? No, of course not, " and Swain shook his head decidedly. 

"You are sure of that?" asked Godfrey earnestly. 

"Perfectly sure, " said Swain, looking at him in astonishment. "I wasnever within three feet of him. "

Godfrey sprang to his feet with a gesture of relief. 

"I seem to need a cocktail, " he said, in another tone. "Isn't that theprescription for all of us, doctor?"

"Yes, " assented Hinman, smiling, "and, after that, complete change ofsubject!"

CHAPTER XII

GUESSES AT THE RIDDLE

We tried to follow Dr. Hinman's prescription, but not with any greatsuccess, for it is difficult to talk about one thing and think aboutanother. So the doctor took himself off, before long, and Swainannounced that he himself would have to return to the city. He hadcome out without so much as a tooth-brush, he pointed out; histrousers were in a lamentable condition, and, while Godfrey's coat waswelcome, it was far from a perfect fit. 

"Which reminds me, " he added, "that I don't know what has become of myown coat and shirt. "

I looked at Godfrey quickly. 

"No, I forgot them, " he said. "They're over in the library atElmhurst, " he added to Swain. "You can get them to-morrow. "

"I shall have to be there to-morrow, then?"

"Yes, at the inquest; I've promised to produce you there, " I said. 

"At what time?"

"You'd better be there by ten. "

"Very well; that's all the more reason for getting back to my base ofsupplies. If I went on the stand looking like this, the jury wouldprobably think I was the murderer!" he added, laughing. 

My answering smile was decidedly thin. Godfrey did not even try toforce one. 

"Wait a few minutes, " he suggested, "and I'll take you down in my car. I'll try to get back early, Lester, " he added, apologetically. "I'mfar from an ideal host--but you'll find some books on my desk that mayinterest you--I got them up to-day. Take a look at them after dinner. "

He went back to bring out his car, and Swain sat down again beside me. 

"Mr. Lester, " he said, in a low voice, "I hope you haven't forgottenyour promise. "

"What promise?"

"To put Miss Vaughan in a safe place and to look after her interests. "

"No, " I said, "I haven't forgotten. I am going to ask to see her afterthe inquest to-morrow. If she wishes us to represent her, we will. "

"And to protect her, " he added, quickly. "She hasn't even a mad fathernow!"

"She's safe enough for the present, " I pointed out. "Dr. Hinman hasemployed another nurse, so that one is with her all the time. "

"I won't be satisfied, " said Swain, "till you get her out of thathouse and away from those damned Hindus. One nurse, or even two, wouldn't stop them. "

"Stop them from what?"

"I don't know, " and he twisted his fingers helplessly. 

"Well, the police will stop them. There are three or four men on dutythere, with orders to let no one in or out. "

His face brightened. 

"Ah, that's better, " he said. "I didn't know that. How long will theybe there?"

"Till after the inquest, anyway. "

"And you will see Miss Vaughan after the inquest?"

"Yes. "

"And urge her to go to Mr. And Mrs. Royce?"

"Yes--but I don't think she'll need much urging. I'll get a note fromMrs. Royce. I'll telephone to Mr. Royce now, and you can stop and getthe note as you come up in the morning. "

Godfrey's car glided up the drive and stopped at the porch. Swain heldout his hand and clasped mine warmly. 

"Thank you, Mr. Lester, " he said; and a moment later the car turnedinto the highway and passed from sight. 

Then I went in, got Mr. Royce on the 'phone, and give him a briefoutline of the incidents of the night before. He listened with anexclamation of astonishment from time to time, and assented heartilywhen I suggested that Miss Vaughan might be placed in Mrs. Royce'scare temporarily. 

"She's a beautiful girl, " I concluded, "and very young. I agree withSwain that she mustn't be left alone in that house. "

"Certainly she mustn't, " said my partner. "I'll have Mrs. Royce writethe note, and get a room ready for her. "

"Of course, " I said, "it's possible she won't come--though I believeshe'll be glad to. Or there may be a family lawyer who will want tolook after her. Only she didn't appear to know of any when she wastalking to Swain. "

"Well, bring her along if you can, " said Mr. Royce. "We'll be glad tohave her. And take your time about coming back, if you're needed upthere. We're getting along all right. "

I thanked him, and hung up; and presently Mrs. Hargis came to summonme to dinner. That meal over, I went in to Godfrey's desk to see whatthe books were he had suggested that I look at. There was quite a pileof them, and I saw that they all related to mysticism or to thereligions of India. There was Sir Monier Williams's "Brahmanism andHinduism, " Hopkins's "The Religions of India, " a work oncrystallomancy, Mr. Lloyd Tuckey's standard work on "Hypnotism andSuggestion, " and some half dozen others whose titles I have forgotten. And as I looked at them, I began to understand one reason forGodfrey's success as a solver of mysteries--no detail of a subjectever escaped him. 

I lit my pipe, sat down, and was soon deep in the lore of the East. Imust confess that I did not make much of it. In that maze ofsuperstition, the most I could do was to pick up a thread here andthere. The yogi had referred to the White Night of Siva, and I soonfound out that Siva is one of the gods of Hinduism--one of a greattrilogy: Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Siva thedestroyer. He had also spoken of the attributes of Kali, and, after alittle further search, I discovered that Kali was Siva's wife--a mostunprepossessing and fiendish female. 

But when I passed on to Hinduism itself, and tried to understand itstenets and its sects, I soon found myself out of my depth. They wereso jumbled, so multitudinous, and so diverse that I could get no clearidea of them. I read of the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Brâhmanas; ofmetaphysical abstractions too tenuous to grasp; of karna or action, of maya or illusion, and I know not what "tangled jumble of ghosts anddemons, demi-gods, and deified saints, household gods, village gods, tribal gods, universal gods, with their countless shrines and templesand din of discordant rites. " At last, in despair, I gave it up, andturned to the book on crystallomancy. 

Here, at least, was something comprehensible, if not altogetherbelievable, and I read with interest of the antiquity ofcrystal-gazing as a means of inducing hallucination for the purpose ofseeking information not to be gained by any normal means. I read ofits use in China, in Assyria, in Egypt, in Arabia, in India, in Greeceand Rome; of how its practitioners in the Middle Ages were looked uponas heretics and burnt at the stake or broken on the wheel; of thefamous Dr. Dee, and so down to the present time. The scryers or seerssometimes used mirrors, sometimes vessels filled with water, butusually a polished stone, and beryl was especially esteemed. 

The effect of gazing at these intently for a time was to abstract themind from normal sensory impressions, and to induce a state of partialhypnosis during which the scryer claimed he could perceive in thecrystal dream-pictures of great vividness, scenes at a distance, occurrences of the past, and of the future. 

I was still deep in this, when I heard a step outside, the dooropened, and Godfrey came in. He smiled when he saw what I was doing. 

"How have you been getting along?" he asked. 

"Not very well, " and I threw the book back on the table. "Thecrystal-gazing isn't so bad--one can understand that; but the jumbleof abstractions which the Hindus call religion is too much for me. Ididn't know it was so late, " I added, and looked at my watch; but itwas not yet eleven o'clock. 

"I'm earlier than usual, " said Godfrey. "I cut loose as soon as Icould, because I thought we'd better talk things over. I saw Simmondsin town to-night. "

"Ah, " I said; "and what did he tell you?"

"Nothing I didn't know already. The police have discovered nothingnew--or, if they have, they're keeping it dark until to-morrow. Simmonds did, however, regale me with his theory of the case. He saysthe murder was done either by one of the Hindus or by young Swain. "

"What do _you_ think?" I asked. 

"I'm inclined to agree with Simmonds, " said Godfrey, grimly. "With theemphasis on the Hindus, " he added, seeing the look on my face, "Idon't believe Swain had any hand in it. "

"Neither do I, " I agreed, heartily. "In fact, such a theory is tooabsurd to discuss. "

"Just the same, " said Godfrey, slowly, "I'm glad he didn't touchVaughan. If he had happened to seize him by the neck, while they werestruggling together, --in other words, if those finger-printsGoldberger found had happened to be Swain's--things would have lookedbad for him. I'm hoping they'll turn out to belong to one of theHindus--but, as I said to Goldberger, I'm afraid that's too good to betrue. "

"Which one of the Hindus?" I asked. 

"Oh, the Thug, of course. "

I sat bolt upright. 

"The Thug?" I echoed. 

"Didn't you get that far?" and Godfrey picked up one of the books andran rapidly through the pages. "You remember we found him squatting onthe floor with a rag and a tooth and a bone in front of him?"

"Yes. "

"And do you remember how the yogi described them, when Goldbergerasked him about them?"

"Very distinctly--he called them the attributes of Kali. "

"Now listen to this: 'The Thugs are a religious fraternity, committingmurders in honor of Kali, the wife of Siva, who, they believe, assiststhem and protects them. Legend asserts that she presented herworshippers with three things, the hem of her lower garment to use asa noose, a rib to use as a knife, and a tooth to use as a pick-axe inburying the victims. '" He glanced at me, and then went on: "'But theknife was little used, for the religious character of an assassinationcame to depend more and more upon its bloodless character, and forthis a noose was used, with which the victim was strangled. Theaversion to bloodshed became in time so great that many sects ofThuggee consider it defiling to touch human blood!'" He closed thebook and threw it on the table. "Don't you think that proves thecase?"

"Yes, " I said, thoughtfully. "And the yogi--is he also a Thug?"

"Oh, no; a White Priest of Siva could never be a Thug. The worship ofSiva and of Kali are the very opposites of each other. The Saivas areascetics. That is, " he added, in another tone, "if the fellow isreally a Saiva and not just a plain fraud. "

"All these fellows are frauds, more or less, aren't they?" Iquestioned. 

"No, " was Godfrey's unexpected answer; "the real yogin are no doubtsincere; but a real yogi wouldn't waste his time on a soft-brained oldman, and fire sky-rockets off at midnight to impress him. My ownopinion is that this fellow is a fakir--a juggler, a sleight-of-handman--and, of course, a crook. "

"Well?" I asked, as Godfrey stopped and failed to continue. 

"Well, that's as far as I've got. Oh, yes--there's Toto. A cobra isone of a fakir's stock properties. "

"But, Godfrey, " I protested, "he is no ignorant roadside juggler. He'sa cultivated man--an unusual man. "

"Certainly he is--most unusual. But that doesn't disprove my guess; itonly makes the problem harder. Even a roadside juggler doesn't do histricks for nothing--what reward is it this fellow's working for? Itmust be a big one, or it wouldn't tempt him. "

"I suppose Vaughan paid him well, " I ventured. 

"Yes; but did you look at him, Lester? You've called him unusual, butthat word doesn't begin to express him. He's extraordinary. No doubtVaughan _did_ pay him well, but it would take something more than thatto persuade such a man to spend six months in a place like that. And Ithink I can guess at the stake he's playing for. "

"You mean Miss Vaughan?"

"Just that, " and Godfrey leaned back in his chair. 

I contemplated this theory for some moments in silence. It was, atleast, a theory and an interesting one--but it rested on air. Therewas no sort of foundation for it that I could see, and at last I saidso. 

"I know it's pretty thin, " Godfrey admitted, "but it's the best I'vebeen able to do--there's so little to build a theory out of. But I'mgoing to see if I can't prove one part of it true to-night. "

"Which part?"

"About his being a fakir. Here's my theory: that hocus-pocus on theroof at midnight was for the purpose of impressing Vaughan. No doubthe believed it a real spiritual manifestation, whereas it was only aclever bit of jugglery. Now that Vaughan is dead, that particular bitof jugglery will cease until there is some new victim to impress. Infact, it has ceased already. There was no star last night. "

"But you know why, " I pointed out. "The yogi spent the night incontemplation. We can bear witness to that. "

"We can't bear witness to when he started in, " said Godfrey, drily. "We didn't see him till after half-past twelve. However, accepting hisexplanation, there would be no reason for omitting the phenomenonto-night, if it's a genuine one. "

"No, " I agreed. 

"And if it _is_ omitted, " Godfrey went on, "it will be prettyconclusive evidence that it isn't genuine. Although, " he went onhurriedly, "I don't need any proof of that--anything else would beunbelievable. " He glanced at his watch. "It's ten minutes to twelve, "he said. "Come along. "

I followed him out of the house and through the grove with very mixedsensations. If the star _didn't_ fall, it would tend to prove that itwas, as Godfrey had said, merely a fake arranged to impress acredulous old man; but suppose it _did_ fall! That was a part of thetest concerning which Godfrey had said nothing. Suppose it _did_ fall!What then?

So it was in silence that I followed Godfrey up the ladder and took myplace on the limb. But Godfrey seemed to have no uneasiness. 

"We won't have long to wait, " he said. "We'll wait till five minutesafter twelve, just to make sure. It must be twelve now. I wish I couldpersuade that fellow to show me how the fake was worked, for it wascertainly a good one--one of the best. . . . "

He stopped abruptly, staring out into the darkness. I was staring, too, for there, against the sky, a light began to glow and brighten. It hung for a moment motionless, and then began slowly to descend, steadily, deliberately, as of set purpose. Lower and lower it sank, ina straight line, hovered for an instant, and burst into a millionsparks. 

In the flare of light, a white-robed figure stood, gazing upwards, itsarms strained toward the sky. 

As we went silently down the ladder, a moment later, it seemed to methat I could hear Godfrey's theory crashing about his ears. 

CHAPTER XIII

FRANCISCO SILVA

It was not quite ten o'clock when Godfrey and I turned in at the gatesof Elmhurst, next morning, and made our way up the drive to the house, but in the library we found a considerable company already assembled. Goldberger was there, with Freylinghuisen his physician, his clerk, his stenographer, and the men who were to constitute the jury;Simmonds was there, and with him was an alert little man in glasses, who, Godfrey told me in an aside, was Sylvester, the head of theIdentification Bureau, and the greatest expert on finger-prints inAmerica. The district attorney had sent up an assistant, also with astenographer, and altogether the room was decidedly crowded. 

It became impossible a moment later, when a string of automobilespuffed up the drive and disgorged a mob of reporters andphotographers. As many as the room would hold pushed into it, and theothers stood outside in the drive and complained loudly. Thecomplaints of the photographers were especially varied and forceful. Goldberger looked around him in despair, mopping his face angrily, for the crowded room was very hot. 

"You fellows will have to get out of here, " he said to the reporters. "There's no room. I'll give you a transcript of the proceedings afterthey're over. "

The protests redoubled. How were they to get any human interest out ofa transcript? Besides, there were the photographers. What did heexpect them to do--photograph the transcript? And finally, the lawrequired that the hearing be public, so they had a right to bepresent. It was a tense moment, the more so since Goldberger was by nomeans insensible of the value of newspaper popularity to a man inpublic life. 

"Why not go out on the lawn?" Godfrey suggested. "It's only a questionof moving some chairs and tables, and the boys will all lend a hand. "

The boys applauded, almost forgiving Godfrey his scoop, protestedtheir entire willingness to lend two hands if necessary, and, whenGoldberger nodded his approval, fell to work with a will. The lowerfloor of the house was denuded, the garden seats pressed into service, and at the end of five minutes, the court was established amid thecircle of trees, the reporters had their coats off and their pipeslighted, the photographers ditto and their cameras placed. Good humourwas restored; peace reigned; and Goldberger smiled again, for he knewthat the adjectives with which the reporters would qualify his namewould be complimentary ones!

He took his place, rapped for order, and instructed his clerk to swearthe jury. Nobody paid much attention to the jury, for it was arecognised device for paying small political debts, and its verdictwas usually in strict accord with the wishes of the presiding officer. Then Goldberger looked at the vacant chair which I had kept beside me. 

"By the way, Mr. Lester, " he said, "I don't see Mr. Swain. "

"He had to go back to the city last night, " I explained, "to get somefresh clothes. He had an errand or two to do this morning, and mayhave been detained. I left word at the house for him to come over hereat once. "

"You seem to have a good deal of confidence in him, " Goldbergerremarked. 

"I have, " I answered quietly. "A great deal. "

Goldberger frowned a little, but proceeded to open the case withoutfurther delay. Godfrey was the first witness, and told his story muchas he had told it the night before. I followed him, but contributed nonew details. Both of us were excused without cross-examination. 

To my great satisfaction, Swain arrived while I was testifying, and Icould not deny myself a triumphant glance at Goldberger, but he wasstudying some memoranda and affected not to notice it. As soon as Ileft the stand, Swain came and sat down beside me and gave me aletter. It was addressed to Miss Vaughan. 

"It's from Mrs. Royce, " he said. "She's a trump! She's determined thatMarjorie shall come to her. She says if you don't bring her, she'llcome after her herself. Do you know how she is this morning?"

"No, " I said; "I haven't seen Hinman. But how are you?"

"Oh, I'm all right again--head a little sore yet where I bumpedit--but otherwise as fit as a fiddle. "

"You look it!" I said; and I was glad, because I wanted him to make agood impression on the stand. I knew what weight appearances oftenhad; and no jury, I told myself, would believe that this bright-eyed, fresh-coloured boy could have had any hand in a brutal murder. 

Just then Hinman's name was called, and an officer hurried away to thehouse after him. They returned together almost at once, and Hinman wasplaced on the stand. He told of being summoned by Godfrey, and of theevents which followed. He said that the murder had been committedabout midnight, that death had been due to strangulation; andidentified the cord and the blood-stained handkerchief which thecoroner submitted to him. I fancied that Swain lost a little of hiscolour when he saw the handkerchief and learned where it had beenfound, but he made no remark. 

"Will Miss Vaughan be able to testify?" Goldberger inquired, justbefore the doctor stepped down. 

"Unless it is absolutely necessary, I think she would better beexcused, " Hinman answered. "She is still very nervous. The ordealmight cause a serious collapse. "

"We will try to get along without her, " assented Goldberger. "Ifnecessary, I can take her deposition. Is she in bed?"

"Yes; I am keeping her as quiet as possible. "

"Very well; we won't disturb her, " said Goldberger, and Hinman wasexcused, and Freylinghuisen called. He merely testified to the causeof death and that the autopsy had shown that the deceased was in fairhealth and without organic disease. 

Then the servants were called, but their evidence was unimportant. They had gone to bed about ten o'clock, and had not awakened until thecoroner himself had pounded at the door. They had heard no unusualsound. Yes, they had slept with their doors locked and windowsshuttered because that was the rule of the house. Yes, even in thehottest weather; that made no difference, since each of their roomswas fitted with a ventilator. 

Questioned as to the manner of life of the other inmates of the house, the German and his wife were non-committal. They had been with thefamily a long time; had taken care of the place when their master wasabroad; only after his return had it been necessary to get anotherservant. He had been at home for a year, and the Hindus had arrivedabout six months later. Yes, they knew their master was studying somestrange religion, but that was no affair of theirs, and they had neverseen anything wrong. He had always treated them well; was a littlestrange and absent-minded at times; but neither of them really sawmuch of him. He never interfered in the household affairs, MissVaughan giving such instructions as were necessary. The man spent mostof his time in the grounds, and the woman in the kitchen. She was alittle petulant over the fact that one of the Hindus--the "uglyone"--refused to eat her cooking, but insisted on preparing his ownfood. Also, the housemaid had told her that there was a snake, but shehad never seen it. 

From the Irish housemaid a little more information was obtained. Neither Mr. Vaughan nor the yogi ate any breakfast; indeed, theyrarely left their rooms before noon. The other Hindu mixed himself upsome sort of mess over the kitchen stove. Miss Vaughan breakfastedalone at nine o'clock. At such times, she was accustomed to talk overhousehold affairs with the maid, and after breakfast would visit thekitchen and make a tour of the grounds and garden. The remainder ofher day would be spent in reading, in playing the piano, in doinglittle household tasks, or in walking about the grounds with herfather. Yes, sometimes the yogi would join them, and there would belong discussions. After dinner, in the library, there would also belong discussions, but the girl had no idea what they were about. Sheheard a fragment of them occasionally, but had never been able to makeanything of them. In fact, from the way they dressed and all, she hadcome to the conclusion that Mr. Vaughan and the yogi were both alittle crazy, but quite inoffensive and harmless. 

"And how about Miss Vaughan?" asked the coroner. 

"Miss Vaughan, bless her heart, wasn't crazy, " said the girl quickly;"not a bit of it. She was just sad and lonely, --as who wouldn't be!She never went out--in the five months I've been here, she's neverbeen off the place; and them front gates was never opened to letanybody in. The only people who come in were the grocer and milk-manand such-like, through the little door at the side. "

"You say you have been here five months?"

"Yes, sir. "

"How did you come to apply for the place?"

"I didn't apply for it. I was sent here by an employment bureau. MissMarjorie engaged me. I didn't see the Hindus till afterwards, or Idon't think I'd have took it. After that, I stayed for Miss Marjorie'ssake. "

"You thought she needed you?"

"Yes, I did. With her father moonin' round in a kind of trance, andthe yogi lookin' at her with eyes like live coals, and a snake thatstood on its tail, and the other naygur going around with nothin' onbut a diaper, I thought she needed somebody to look after her; andsays I, 'Annie Crogan, you're the girl to do it!'"

There was a ripple of laughter and the pencils of the reporters flewacross their paper. It was the first gleam to enliven a prosaic andtiresome hearing. 

"Were the Hindus obtrusive in any way?" asked the coroner. 

"Oh, no; they minded their business; I've no complaint on thatscore. "

"Did you see any of their religious practices?"

"I wouldn't call them religious--quite the contrary. I've seen themwavin' their arms and bowin' to the sun and settin' in the darkstarin' at a glass globe with a light in it; that's about all. I gotused to it, after a while, and just went on about my work withouttakin' any notice. "

There was little more to be got from her, and finally she was excused. The reporters yawned. The jury twitched nervously. Worthington Vaughanwas dead; he had been strangled--so much was clear; but not ascintilla of evidence had as yet been introduced as to who hadstrangled him. Then a movement of interest ran through the crowd, fora policeman came from the direction of the house accompanied by twostrange figures. One was the yogi, in robes of dazzling white; theother his attendant, wearing something more than a diaper, indeed, butwith his thin brown legs bare. 

The yogi bowed to Goldberger with grave courtesy, and, at a word fromthe attendant policeman, sat down in the witness-chair. Everybody wasleaning forward looking at him, and the cameras were clicking inchorus, but he seemed scarcely aware of the circle of eager faces. 

"Hold up your right hand, please, " began Goldberger, aftercontemplating him for a moment. 

"For what purpose?" asked the yogi. 

"I'm going to swear you. "

"I do not understand. "

"I'm going to put you on oath to tell nothing but the truth, "explained the coroner. 

"An oath is unnecessary, " said the yogi with a smile. "To speak thetruth is required by my religion. "

There was something impressive in the words, and Goldberger slowlylowered his arm. 

"What is your name?" he asked. 

"Francisco Silva. "

"You are not a Hindu?"

"I am of their faith. "

"But by birth?"

"I am a Portuguese. "

"Born in India?"

"Born at Goa. "

The coroner paused. He had never heard of Goa. Neither had I. Neither, I judged, had any one else present. In this, however, I was wrong. Godfrey had heard of it, and afterwards referred me to Marryat's"Phantom Ship" as his source of information. 

"Goa, " Silva explained, seeing our perplexity, "is a colony owned byPortugal on the Malabar coast, some distance below Bombay. "

"How does it come that you speak English so well?"

"I was educated at Bombay, and afterwards at Oxford and at Paris. "

"But you are by religion a Hindu?"

"I am a Saiva--a follower of Siva, the Lord of life and death. "

As he spoke, he touched his forehead with the fingers of his lefthand. There was a moment's silence. Goldberger's moustache, I notedwith a smile, was beginning to suffer again. 

"You are what is called an adept?" he asked, at last. 

"Some may call me that, " said Silva, "but incorrectly. Among my fellowSaivas, I am known as a White Priest, a yogi, a teacher of the law. "

"Mr. Vaughan was your pupil?"

"Yes; for six months he was my pupil. "

"In what way did you come to accept this position?"

"Two years ago, Mr. Vaughan visited the monastery of our order inCrete. He was at that time merely a student of Orientalism, and cameto us from curiosity. But his interest grew; and after a year spent instudying the holy books, he asked that a teacher be sent to him. Therewas none at that time who could be spared; but six months ago, havingcompleted a task which had occupied me in Paris, I was assigned tothis. "

"Do you always go to so much trouble to secure converts?" questionedGoldberger, a little cynically. 

"Usually we require that the period of study be passed at one of ourmonasteries. But this case was exceptional. "

"In what way?"

"It was our hope, " explained the yogi, calmly, "that Mr. Vaughan wouldassist us in spreading the Great Truth by endowing a monastery for usin this country. "

"Ah!" and Goldberger looked at him. "Did he agree to do so?"

"He did, " answered the yogi, still more calmly. "This estate was tohave been given to us for that purpose, together with an endowmentsufficient to maintain it. Mr. Vaughan himself hoped to gain the WhiteRobe and become a teacher. "

"What was to become of his daughter?"

"It was his hope that she would become a priestess of our order. "

"You hoped so, too, no doubt?" inquired Goldberger sweetly. 

"I did. It is an office of high honour and great influence. She wouldwalk all her days in the shadow of the Holy One. So sweet a cup isoffered to few women. The number of priestesses is limited to nine. "

Goldberger pulled at his moustache helplessly. Evidently the witness'scalm self-control was not to be broken down, or even ruffled. 

"Please tell me where you were night before last, " said the coroner, finally. 

"I was in this house. "

"Did you see Mr. Vaughan?"

"I did not. "

"How did you spend the night?"

"In contemplation. It was, as I have told you, the White Night ofSiva, sacred to him from sunset to sunrise. "

"Do you mean that you spent the whole night sitting before thatcrystal?" asked the coroner, incredulously. 

"That is my meaning. "

"You know nothing, then, of the death of Mr. Vaughan?"

"I saw his soul pass in the night. More than that I know not. "

Again Goldberger twitched at his moustache. He was plainly at a losshow to proceed. 

"Was your attendant with you?" he asked, at last. 

"He was in his closet. "

"At his devotions too, perhaps?"

"The White Night of Siva is also the Black Night of Kali, " said theyogi, gravely, as one rebuking an unworthy levity. 

"What do you mean by that?" Goldberger demanded. 

"Mahbub is of the cult of Kali, who is the wife of Siva, " said theyogi, touching his forehead reverently as he spoke the words. "Hespent the night in adoration of her attributes. "

Goldberger's stenographer was having his difficulties; the pencils ofthe reporters were racing wildly in unison; everyone was listeningwith strained attention; there was, somehow, a feeling in the air thatsomething was about to happen. I saw Godfrey write a line upon a sheetof paper, fold it, and toss it on the table in front of Goldberger. The coroner opened it, read the line, and stared at the impassiveMahbub, who stood beside his master with folded arms, staring over theheads of the crowd. 

"In other words, " said Goldberger, slowly, "your attendant is a Thug. "

The yogi bowed. 

"Yes, " he said, calmly; "Mahbub is Thuggee. "

CHAPTER XIV

THE FINGER-PRINTS

A shiver ran through the crowd, like a gust of wind across a field ofwheat. The words, "Mahbub is Thuggee, " seemed to rend the veil whichobscured the tragedy. Surely it was clear enough, now: here was a mankilled by Thuggee's peculiar method, and here was the Thug. It was assimple as two and two!

Every eye was on the bare-legged Hindu, impassive as ever, staringstraight before him. The camera-men hastily pushed in fresh plates andtrained their machines upon him. Two policemen edged close to hisside. 

But Francisco Silva looked about him with scornful eyes, and presentlyhe opened his lips as though to speak, and then he closed them. 

Goldberger seemed perplexed. He looked as though, while rollingsmoothly along the road toward a well-understood goal, he had suddenlystruck an unforeseen obstacle. The possibility of Mahbub's guiltseemed to interfere with some theory of his own. He called Simmondsand the district attorney to him, and they exchanged a few low words. Then he turned back to the witness. 

"I should like to question your attendant, " he said. "Will youtranslate for me? I have not been able to find a Hindu interpreter. "

Silva bowed his consent. 

"Ask him, please, where he spent Thursday night. "

There was a brief interchange between Silva and Mahbub, then theformer turned to Goldberger. 

"It was as I thought, " he said. "He spent the night in the worship ofthe attributes of Kali. "

The coroner opened an envelope which lay on the table at his elbow andtook out a piece of knotted cord. 

"Ask him if he ever saw this before, " he said, and passed it to thewitness. 

"I notice that it is stained, " said Silva, looking at it. "Is it withblood?"

"Yes. "

"Then Mahbub will not touch it. For him to do so, would be to defilehimself. "

"He doesn't need to touch it. Show it to him. "

Silva spoke to his servant, holding up the cord. The latter glanced atit and shook his head. Without a word, Silva handed the cord back tothe coroner. 

"Are there any further questions?" he asked. 

Goldberger pulled at his moustache impatiently. 

"There are a lot of questions I'd like to ask, " he said, "but I feel agood deal as though I were questioning the Sphinx. Isn't it a littlequeer that a Thug should be so particular about a few blood-stains?"

"I fear that you are doing Mahbub an injustice in your thoughts, "Silva said, gravely. "You have heard certain tales of the Thugs, perhaps--tales distorted and magnified and untrue. In the old days, asworshippers of Kali, they did, sometimes, offer her a human sacrifice;but that was long ago. To say a man is a Thug is not to say he is alsoa murderer. "

"It will take more than that to convict him, anyway, " assentedGoldberger, quickly. "That is all for the present, professor. " I bitback a smile at the title which came so unconsciously fromGoldberger's lips. 

Silva bowed and walked slowly away toward the house, Mahbub followingclose behind. At a look from Simmonds, two of his men strolled afterthe strange couple. 

Goldberger stared musingly after them for a moment, then shook hishead impatiently, and turned back to the business in hand. 

"Will Mr. Swain please take the stand?" he said; and Swain took thechair. "Now, Mr. Swain, " Goldberger began, after swearing him, "please tell us, in your own way, of what part you had in theincidents of Thursday night. "

Swain told his story much as he had told it to Godfrey and me, and Inoticed how closely both Goldberger and the district attorney followedit. When he had finished, Goldberger asked the same question thatGodfrey had asked. 

"While you were having the altercation with Mr. Vaughan, did you grasphold of him?"

"No, sir; I did not touch him. "

"You are quite sure?"

"Yes, sir. "

"You didn't touch him at any time, then or afterwards?"

"No, sir. I didn't see him afterwards. "

"What were your feelings when he took his daughter away?"

"I was profoundly grieved. "

"And angry?"

"Yes, I suppose I was angry. He was most unjust to me. "

"He had used very violent language to you, had he not?"

"Yes. "

"He had threatened your life if you tried to see his daughter again?"

"Yes. "

"Now, Mr. Swain, as you stood there, angry and humiliated, didn't youmake up your mind to follow him to the house and have it out withhim?"

Swain smiled. 

"I'm lawyer enough to know, " he said, "that a question like that isn'tpermissible. But I'll answer it. I may have had such an impulse--Idon't know; but the sight of the cobra there in the arbour put iteffectually out of my head. "

"You still think there was a cobra?"

"I am sure of it. "

"And you ran out of the arbour so fast you bumped your head?"

"I suppose that's what happened. It's mighty sore, anyway, " and Swainput his hand to it ruefully. 

"Mr. Swain, " went on the coroner, slowly, "are you prepared to swearthat, after you hurt your head, you might not, in a confused andhalf-dazed condition, have followed your previous impulse to go to thehouse and see Mr. Vaughan?"

"Yes, " answered Swain, emphatically, "I am. Although I was somewhatdazed, I have a distinct recollection of going straight to the walland climbing back over it. "

"You cut your wrist as you were crossing the wall the first time?"

[Illustration: "I'm lawyer enough to know, " he said, "that a questionlike that is not permissible"]

"Yes, " and Swain held up his hand and showed the strip of plasteracross the wound. 

"Your right wrist?"

"Yes. "

"It bled freely, did it not?"

"Very freely. "

"What became of the clothes you took off when you changed into thosebrought by Mr. Godfrey?"

"I don't know. Mr. Lester told me they were left here. I intended toinquire for them. "

At a sign from Goldberger, Simmonds opened a suit-case and placed abundle on the table. Goldberger unrolled it and handed it to Swain. 

"Are these the clothes?" he asked. 

"Yes, " said Swain, after a moment's examination. 

"Will you hold the shirt up so the jury can see it?"

Swain held the garment up, and everybody's eyes were fixed upon theblood-soaked sleeve. 

"There seems to have been a good deal of blood, " remarked Goldberger. "It must have run down over your hand. "

"It did. It was all over my fingers. "

"So that it would probably stain anything you touched?"

"Yes, very probably. "

"Did you think of that when you were in the arbour with Miss Vaughan?"

Swain's face suddenly crimsoned and he hung his head. 

"I'm afraid not, " he said. 

"How was she dressed?"

"In a white robe of some silk-like material. "

"A robe that would show a blood-stain?"

"Undoubtedly. "

Goldberger paused for an instant, and then produced a pad, such as oneuses for inking rubber stamps, opened it and placed it on the tablebefore him. 

"Have you any objection to giving me a set of your finger-prints?" heasked. 

"None whatever, " and Swain stepped toward the table and placed thetips of his fingers on the pad. Then he pressed each one carefullyupon the pad of paper which the coroner placed before him. Goldbergerwatched him curiously, until all ten impressions had been made. 

"You did that as though you had done it before, " he remarked. 

"I made a set once for Mr. Vaughan, " said Swain, sitting down again. "He had a most interesting collection. "

Goldberger passed the prints over to the head of the Bureau ofIdentification, then he turned back to the witness. 

"Mr. Swain, " he said, "have you ever seen this cord before?" and hehanded him the knotted cord. 

Swain took it and examined it curiously, without hesitation or repugnance. 

"No, " he answered, finally, "I never saw it before. "

"Do you know what it is?" and Goldberger watched him closely. 

"I infer that it is the cord with which Mr. Vaughan was strangled. "

"That is so. You did not see it around his neck?"

"I have no recollection of having done so. "

"Please look at the cord again, Mr. Swain, " said Goldberger, stillwatching him. "You will see that it is knotted. Can you describe thoseknots for me?"

Swain looked at the knots, and I was glad to see that his hands wereabsolutely steady and his face free from fear. No murderer couldhandle so unconcernedly the instrument of his crime! Surely the jurywould see that!

"The knots, " said Swain, at last, "seem to be an ordinary square knotwith which the cord was made into a noose, and then a double bowlineto secure it. "

"A double bowline? Can you tie such a knot?"

"Certainly. Anyone who has ever owned a boat can do so. It is the bestknot for this purpose. "

The coroner reached out for the cord and replaced it in the envelope. Then he produced the handkerchief. 

"Can you identify this?" he asked, and handed it to the witness. 

Swain changed colour a little as he took it. 

"I cannot identify it, " he said, in a low voice; "but I will say this:when Miss Vaughan found that my wrist was bleeding, she insisted upontying her handkerchief around it. This may be the handkerchief. "

Again a little shiver ran through the crowd, and Goldberger's eyeswere gleaming. 

"You notice that two corners of the handkerchief are free from stain, "he said, "and are crumpled as though they had been tied in a knot. Thehandkerchief Miss Vaughan used would probably be in that condition, would it not?"

"Yes, " Swain answered, his voice still low. 

"You heard Dr. Hinman testify that he found the handkerchief besidethe chair in which Mr. Vaughan was murdered?"

"Yes. "

"Can you explain its presence there?"

"I cannot, unless it dropped from my wrist when I stooped to raiseMiss Vaughan. "

Goldberger looked at the witness for a moment, then he glanced atSylvester, who nodded almost imperceptibly. 

"That is all for the present, Mr. Swain, " the coroner said, and Swainsat down again beside me, very pale, but holding himself well in hand. 

Then Simmonds took the stand. His story developed nothing new, but hetold of the finding of the body and of its appearance and manner ofdeath in a way which brought back the scene to me very vividly. Isuspected that he made his story deliberately impressive in order toefface the good impression made by the previous witness. 

Finally, the coroner dipped once more into the suit-case, brought outanother bundle and unrolled it. It proved to be a white robe with redstains about the top. He handed it to Simmonds. 

"Can you identify this?" he asked. 

"Yes, " said Simmonds; "it is the garment worn by Mr. Vaughan at thetime of his murder. "

"How do you identify it?"

"By my initials in indelible ink, on the right sleeve, where I placedthem. "

"There are stains on the collar of the robe. What are they?"

"Blood-stains. "

"Human blood?"

"Yes, sir. "

"How do you know?"

"I have had them tested. "

"Did any blood come from the corpse?"

"No, sir; the skin of the neck was not broken. "

"Where, then, in your opinion, did this blood come from?"

"From the murderer, " answered Simmonds, quietly. 

There was a sudden gasp from the reporters, as they saw whither thistestimony was tending. I glanced at Swain. He was a little paler, butwas smiling confidently. 

Goldberger, his face hawklike, stooped again to the suit-case, produced a third bundle, and, unrolling it, disclosed another robe, also of white silk. This, too, he handed to Simmonds. 

"Can you identify that?" he asked. 

"Yes, " said Simmonds. "It is the robe worn by Miss Vaughan on thenight of the tragedy. My initials are on the left sleeve. "

"That also has blood-marks on it, I believe?"

"Yes, sir;" and, indeed, we could all perceive the marks. 

"Human blood?"

"Yes, sir. I had it tested, too. "

"That is all, " said Goldberger, quickly, and placed on the stand thehead of the Identification Bureau. 

"Mr. Sylvester, " he began, "you have examined the marks on thesegarments?"

"Yes, sir. "

"What did you make of them?"

"They are all unquestionably finger-marks, but most of them are meresmudges. However, the fabric of which these robes are made is a veryhard and finely-meshed silk, with an unusually smooth surface, and Isucceeded in discovering a few marks on which the lines weresufficiently distinct for purposes of identification. These I havephotographed. The lines are much plainer in the photographs than onthe cloth. "

"Have you the photographs with you?"

"I have, " and Sylvester produced them from a pocket. "These are theprints on the robe belonging to the murdered man, " he added, passingfour cards to the coroner. "You will notice that two of them show theright thumb, though one is not very distinct; another shows the rightfore-finger, and the fourth the right middle-finger. "

"You consider these plain enough for purposes of identification?"

"Undoubtedly. Any one of them would be enough. "

Goldberger passed the photographs to the foreman of the jury, wholooked at them vacantly. 

"And the other photographs?" he asked. 

"I got only two prints from the other robe, " said Sylvester. "All butthese were hopelessly smudged, as though the hand had moved whiletouching the garment. "

"You mean they were all made by one hand?" asked Goldberger. 

"Yes, sir; by the right hand. Again I have a print of the thumb andone of the third finger. "

He passed the photographs over, and again Goldberger handed them on tothe jury. 

"Mr. Sylvester, " said the coroner, "you consider the finger-printmethod of identification a positive one, do you not?"

"Absolutely so. "

"Even with a single finger?"

"Perhaps with a single finger there may be some doubt, if there is noother evidence. Somebody has computed that the chance of two printsbeing exactly the same is one in sixty-four millions. "

"And where there is other evidence?"

"I should say that a single finger was enough. "

"Suppose you have two fingers?"

"Then it is absolutely certain. "

"And three fingers?"

Sylvester shrugged his shoulders to indicate that proof could go nofurther. Goldberger took back the photographs from the foreman of thejury and ranged them before him on the table. 

"Now, Mr. Sylvester, " he said, "did you notice any correspondencebetween these prints?"

"Yes, " answered the witness, in a low voice; "the thumb-prints on bothrobes were made by the same hand. "

The audience sat spell-bound, staring, scarce breathing. I dared notglance at Swain. I could not take my eyes from that pale-faced man onthe witness-stand, who knew that with every word he was riveting anawful crime to a living fellow-being. 

"One question more, " said Goldberger. "Have you any way of telling bywhom these prints were made?"

"Yes, " said Sylvester again, and his voice was so low I could scarcelyhear it. "They were made by Frederic Swain. The prints he made justnow correspond with them in every detail!"

CHAPTER XV

THE CHAIN TIGHTENS

An instant's silence followed Sylvester's words, and then a littlemurmur of interest and excitement, as the reporters bent closer abovetheir work. I heard a quick, deep intaking of the breath from the manwho sat beside me, and then I was on my feet. 

"Your Honour, " I said to Goldberger, "it seems that an effort is to bemade to incriminate Mr. Swain in this affair, and he should thereforebe represented by counsel. I myself intend to represent him, and I askfor an hour's adjournment in order to consult with my client. "

Goldberger glanced at his watch. 

"I intended to adjourn for lunch, " he said, "as soon as I had finishedwith Mr. Sylvester. We will adjourn now, if you wish--untilone-thirty, " he added. 

The battery of cameras was clicking at Swain, and two or three artistswere making sketches of his head; there was a great bustle as thereporters gathered up their papers and hurried to their cars to searchfor the nearest telephone; the jury walked heavily away in charge ofan officer to get their lunch at some near-by road-house; Sylvesterwas gathering up his prints and photographs and putting them carefullyin his pocket; Simmonds was replacing the blood-stained clothing inthe suit-case, to be held as evidence for the trial; but Swain satthere, with arms folded, staring straight before him, apparentlyunconscious of all this. 

Goldberger looked at him closely, as he came down to speak to me, butSwain did not glance up. 

"I can parole him in your custody, I suppose, Mr. Lester?" the coronerasked. 

"Yes; certainly, " I assented. 

"Sylvester's evidence makes it look bad for him. "

"Will you introduce me to Sylvester? I should like to go over theprints with him. "

"Certainly;" and, a moment later, with the prints spread out beforeus, Sylvester was showing me their points of similarity. 

Godfrey came forward while he was talking and stood looking over hisshoulder. 

I had heard of finger-print identification, of course, many times, buthad made no study of the subject, and, I confess, the blurredphotographs which Sylvester offered for my inspection seemed to memighty poor evidence upon which to accuse a man of murder. Thephotographs showed the prints considerably larger than life-size, butthis enlargement had also exaggerated the threads of the cloth, sothat the prints seemed half-concealed by a heavy mesh. To the nakedeye, the lines were almost indistinguishable, but under Sylvester'spowerful glass they came out more clearly. 

"The thumb, " said Sylvester, following the lines first to the rightand then to the left with the point of a pencil, "is what we call adouble whorl. It consists of fourteen lines, or ridges. With themicrometer, " and he raised the lid of a little leather box which stoodon the table, took out an instrument of polished steel and applied itto one of the photographs, "we get the angle of these ridges. See howI adjust it, " and I watched him, as, with a delicate thumbscrew, hemade the needle-like points of the finder coincide with the outsidelines of the whorl. "Now here is a photograph from the other robe, also showing the thumb, " and he applied the machine carefully to it. "It also is a double whorl of fourteen lines, and you see the anglesare the same. And here is the print of the right thumb which yourclient made for me. " He applied the micrometer and drew back that Imight see for myself. 

"But these photographs are enlarged, " I objected. 

"That makes no difference. Enlargement does not alter the angles. Here are the other prints. "

He compared them one by one, in the same manner. When he had finished, there was no escaping the conviction that they had been made by thesame hand--that is, unless one denied the theory of finger-printidentification altogether, and that, I knew, would be absurd. As hefinished his demonstration, Sylvester glanced over my shoulder with alittle deprecating smile, as of a man apologising for doing anunpleasant duty, and I turned to find Swain standing there, his facelined with perplexity. 

"You heard?" I asked. 

"Yes; and I believe Mr. Sylvester is right. I can't understand it. "

"Well, " I said, "suppose we go and have some lunch, and then we cantalk it over, " and thanking Sylvester for his courtesy, I led Swainaway. Godfrey fell into step beside us, and for some moments we walkedon in silence. 

"There is only one explanation that I can see, " said Godfrey, at last. "Swain, you remember, got to the library about a minute ahead of us, and when we reached the door he was lifting Miss Vaughan to the couch. In that minute, he must have touched the dead man. "

Swain shook his head doubtfully. 

"I don't see why I should have done that, " he said. 

"It isn't a question of why you did it, " Godfrey pointed out. "It's aquestion of whether you did it. Go over the scene in your mind, recalling as many details as you can, and then we'll go over ittogether, step by step, after lunch. "

It was a silent meal, and when it was over, Godfrey led the way intohis study. 

"Now, " he began, when we were seated, "where was Miss Vaughan at themoment you sprang through the door?"

"She was lying on the floor by the table, in front of her father'schair, " Swain replied. 

"You are sure of that?"

"Yes; I didn't see her until I ran around the table. "

"I was hoping, " said Godfrey, "that she had fainted with her armsclasped about her father's neck, and that, in freeing them, you madethose marks on his robe. "

But Swain shook his head. 

"No, " he said; "I'm positive I didn't touch him. "

"Then how did the marks get there?"

"I don't know, " said Swain helplessly. 

"Now, see here, Swain, " said Godfrey, a little sternly, "there is onlyone way in which those finger-prints could have got on that garment, and that is from your fingers. If you didn't put them thereconsciously, you must have done so unconsciously. If they aren'texplained in some way, the jury will very probably hold youresponsible for the crime. "

"I understand that, " Swain answered thickly; "but how can they beexplained? I don't see why I should put my hands on Mr. Vaughan'sthroat, even unconsciously. And then there's the fact that at no timeduring the evening was I really unconscious--I was only confused anddazed. "

"Goldberger's theory is plain enough, " said Godfrey, turning to me;"and I must say that it's a good one. He realises that there wasn'tprovocation enough to cause a man like Swain to commit murder, withall his senses about him; but his presumption is that the crime wascommitted while Swain was in a dazed condition and not whollyself-controlled. Such a thing is possible. "

"No, it isn't!" cried Swain, his face livid. "It isn't possible! I'mnot a murderer. I remember everything else--do you think I wouldn'tremember a thing like that!"

"I don't know what to think, " Godfrey admitted, a straight linebetween his brows. "Besides, there's the handkerchief. "

"I don't see any mystery about that, " said Swain. "There's only oneway that could have come there. It dropped from my wrist when Istooped over Miss Vaughan. "

Godfrey looked at me, and I nodded. Swain might as well know theworst. 

"That would be an explanation, sure enough, " said Godfrey, slowly, "but for one fact--you didn't have any bandage on your wrist when youcame back over the wall. Both Lester and I saw your wrist and the cuton it distinctly. Therefore, if you dropped the handkerchief there, itmust have been before that. "

The blood had run from Swain's cheeks, as though drained by an openartery, and for a moment he sat silent, staring at the speaker. Thenhe raised his trembling right hand and looked at it, as though itmight bear some mark to tell him whether it were indeed guilty. 

"But--but I don't understand!" he cried thickly. "You--you don't meanto intimate--you don't believe--but I wasn't unconscious, I tell you!I wasn't near the house until after we heard the screams! I'm sure ofit! I'd stake my soul on it!"

"Get a grip of yourself, Swain, " said Godfrey, soothingly. "Don't letyourself go like that. No, I don't believe you killed WorthingtonVaughan, consciously or unconsciously. I said Goldberger's theory wasa good one, and it is; but I don't believe it. My belief is that themurder was done by the Thug; but there's nothing to support it, exceptthe fact that he was on the ground and that a noose was used. There'snot a bit of direct evidence to connect him with the crime, andthere's a lot of direct evidence to connect you with it. It's up to usto explain it away. Now, think carefully before you answer myquestions: Have you any recollection, however faint, of having seenMahbub before this morning?"

Swain sat for quite a minute searching his consciousness. Then, to mygreat disappointment, he shook his head. 

"No, " he said; "I am sure I never saw him before. "

"Nor Silva?"

"No, nor Silva--except, of course, the time, three or four months ago, when he gave me Mr. Vaughan's message. "

"Have you a distinct recollection that the library was empty when yousprang into it?"

"Yes; very distinct. I remember looking about it, and then runningpast the table and discovering Miss Vaughan. "

"You saw her father also?"

"Yes; but I merely glanced at him. I realised that he was dead. "

"And you also have a distinct recollection that you did not approachhim or touch him?"

"I am quite certain of that, " answered Swain, positively. 

"Then I give it up, " said Godfrey, and lay back in his chair. 

There was a queer boiling of ideas in my mind; ideas difficult toclothe with words, and composed of I know not what farrago ofoccultism, mysticism, and Oriental magic; but at last I managed tosimmer them down to a timid question:

"I know it sounds foolish, but wouldn't it be possible, Godfrey, toexplain all this by hypnosis, or occult influence, or something ofthat sort?"

Godfrey turned and looked at me. 

"Silva seems to have impressed you, " he said. 

"He has. But isn't such an explanation possible?"

"I don't think so. I don't deny that the Orientals have gone fartheralong certain paths of psychology than we have, but as to theirpossessing any occult power, it is, in my opinion, all bosh. As forhypnosis, the best authorities agree that no man can be hypnotised todo a thing which, in his normal condition, would be profoundlyrepugnant to him. Indeed, few men can be hypnotised against theirwill. To be hypnotised, you have to yield yourself. Of course, themore you yield yourself, the weaker you grow, but that doesn't applyto Swain. I shouldn't advise you to use that line of argument to ajury, " he added, with a smile. "You'd better just leave the wholething up in the air. "

"Well, " I said, "I'll make the best fight I can. I was hoping Swaincould help me; since he can't, we'll have to trust to luck. "

Godfrey left us to get his story of the morning hearing into shape, and I fell into a gloomy revery. I could see no way out of the maze;either Swain had touched Vaughan's body, or it had been touched byanother man with the same finger-markings. I sat suddenly upright, forif there was such a man, he must be one of two. . . . 

"What is it?" Swain asked, looking at me. 

"A long shot, " I said. "An exceedingly long shot--athree-hundred-million to one shot. How many people are there in theworld, Swain?"

"I'm sure I don't know, " and he stared at me in bewilderment. 

"I think it's something like a billion and a half. If that is true, then it's possible that there are four people in the world, besideyourself, with the thumb and two fingers of the right hand markedexactly as yours are. "

"We must have a reunion, some day, " Swain remarked, with irony. 

But I refused to be diverted. 

"Allowing for imperceptible differences, " I went on, "I think it issafe to assume that there are ten such people. "

"Well, " said Swain, bitterly, "I know one thing that it _isn't_ safeto assume, and that is that either of those Hindus is one of thoseten. I suppose that is the assumption you will make next?"

"It's an assumption I intend to put to the proof, anyway, " I answered, somewhat testily, "and if it fails, I'm afraid you'll have to go tojail till I can dig up some more evidence. "

He turned toward me quickly, his face working. 

"See here, Mr. Lester, " he said, "don't misunderstand me. I'm awfullygrateful for all you're doing for me; but I don't mind going tojail--not on my own account. I'm innocent, and I'll be able to proveit in time. But Marjorie mustn't be left alone. I'd be ready to faceanything if I knew that she was safe. She mustn't be left in thathouse--not a single night. Promise me that you'll take her with you assoon as the inquest's over!"

"I'll promise that, Swain, gladly, " I said, "provided, of course, thedoctor consents. "

"We must get him, " and Swain sprang to his feet. "We must explain tohim how important it is. "

"Perhaps I can get him on the 'phone, " I said; but the person whoanswered told me that he had already started for the inquest. And, amoment later, Mrs. Hargis tapped at the door of the study and saidthat the doctor was outside. I told her to show him in at once. 

"The truth is, " said Hinman, shaking hands with both of us, "I thoughtI'd drop in to find out if there was anything I could do. Noreasonable person, " he went on, turning to Swain, "believes you killedthat defenceless old man; but those finger-prints certainly do puzzleme. "

"They puzzle me, too, " said Swain; "but I'll prove myinnocence--though it will take time. "

"It looks to me, " said the doctor, slowly, "that about the only wayyou can prove your innocence is to catch the real murderer. "

"That's exactly what we're going to try to do, " I assented. 

"And meanwhile Mr. Swain will be in jail?" asked the doctor. 

"I'm afraid there's no help for it, " I admitted ruefully. 

"I was just telling Mr. Lester that I didn't mind that, " said Swainearnestly, "that I could stand anything, if I was only sure that MissVaughan was safe. She isn't safe in that house. Mr. Lester hasarranged to place her with the family of his partner, Mr. Royce, where she will be properly taken care of. Is there any reason why shecan't be taken there to-day?"

The doctor considered for a moment. 

"Ordinarily, " he said, at last, "I would advise that she be left whereshe is for a few days; but, under the circumstances, perhaps she wouldbetter be moved. You can get an easy-riding carriage--or a car willdo, if you drive carefully. The nurses, will, of course, go along. Theonly thing is, she will probably wish to attend her father's funeral, which takes place to-morrow. "

Swain bit his lips nervously. 

"I have a horror of her staying in that house another night, " he said;"but I hadn't thought of the funeral. There is one nurse on duty allthe time, isn't there, doctor?"

"Yes. "

"All right, then; we'll risk one night more. But you promise me thatshe shall be taken away immediately after the funeral?"

"Yes, " I said, "I promise. "

"And I, " said the doctor. Then he looked at his watch. "It's time wewere getting back, " he added. 

He took us over in his car, and we found the jury, under the guidanceof Simmonds, just coming out of the house, each member smoking a fatblack cigar at the expense of the State. They had been viewing thebody and the scene of the crime, but as they filed back into theirseats, I noted that they seemed anything but depressed. The lunch hadevidently been a good one. 

Sylvester was recalled to finish his testimony. He explained thesystem of curves and angles by which finger-prints are grouped andclassified, and the various points of resemblance by which two printscould be proved to have been made by the same finger. There was, firstof all, the general convolution, whether a flexure, a stria, a sinus, a spiral, a circle, or a whorl; there was, secondly, the number ofridges in the convolution; and there was, thirdly, the angles whichthese ridges made. If two prints agreed in all these details, theiridentity was certain. He then proceeded to show that the prints madethat morning by Swain did so agree with the photographs of the printson the garments. Finally the witness was turned over to me forcross-examination. 

"Mr. Sylvester, " I began, "are you willing to assert that thosefinger-prints could have been made by no man in the world except Mr. Swain?"

Sylvester hesitated, just as I hoped he would do. 

"No, " he answered, at last, "I can't assert that, Mr. Lester. Theremay be three or four other men in the world with finger-prints likethese. But the probabilities against any of these men having madethese prints are very great. Besides, it is a thing easily proved--thenumber of persons who might have committed the crime is limited, andit is an easy thing to secure prints of their fingers. "

"That is what I was about to propose, " I agreed. "I should like thefinger-prints taken of every one who was in the house Thursday night. "

"Do I understand that your case stands or falls upon this point?"asked the coroner. 

"Your Honor, " I answered, "my client cannot explain how the prints ofhis fingers, if they are his, came to be upon that robe. The one thinghe is certain of is that they were not placed there by him. Not once, during the entire evening, was my client near enough to Mr. Vaughan totouch him; not once did he so far lose consciousness as to be unableto remember what occurred. We have racked our brains for anexplanation, and the only possible one seems to be that the prints ofthe real murderer resemble those of my client. And when I say the realmurderer, " I added, "I do not necessarily mean one of the persons whomwe know to have been in the house. Outside of these finger-prints, there has been absolutely no evidence introduced here to prove thatthe crime might not have been committed by some person unknown to us. "

"You can scarcely expect the jury to believe, however, " Goldbergerpointed out, "that this supposititious person had finger-tips likeyour client's. "

"No, " I agreed, "I make no such assertion; my hope is that we shallsoon have the prints of the real murderer; and when I say the realmurderer, " I added, looking at the jury, "I believe every one presentunderstands who I mean. "

The coroner rapped sharply; but I had said what I wished to say, andsat down. The witnesses of the morning were ordered to be brought out. Sylvester arranged his ink-pad and sheets of paper. 

"It seems to me, " remarked the coroner, with a smile, "that you andMr. Godfrey would better register, too. You were within strikingdistance. "

"That is right, " I agreed, and was the first to register; butSylvester, after a glance at my prints, shook his head. 

"Your thumb is a left sinus, " he said. "You're cleared, Mr. Lester. "

Godfrey came forward and registered, too, and after him the threeservants. In each case, a shake of Sylvester's head told the result. 

Then Simmonds came from the house, with Silva and Mahbub after him, and the coroner explained to Silva what was wanted. I fancied that theyogi's brow contracted a little. 

"The registration of the fingers, " he said, "of the foot or of thepalm, is with us a religious ceremony, not to be lightly performed. Bysome, it is also held that the touch of ink, unless compounded by apriest of the temple according to a certain formula, is defiling; and, above all, it is impossible for a believer to permit such relics ofhimself to remain in the hands of an infidel. "

"The relics, as you call them, " Goldberger explained, "won't need toremain in our hands. My expert here can tell in a minute whether yourprints resemble those of his photographs. If they do not, they will bereturned to you. "

"And if they do?"

Goldberger laughed. 

"Well, you can have them back, anyway. In that case, I guess we canpersuade you, later on, to make another set. "

The yogi flushed angrily, but controlled himself. 

"I rely upon your promise, sir, " he said, and laid his fingers firstupon the pad and then upon the paper. 

He stood with closed eyes and moving lips, his inked fingers heldcarefully away from him, during the breathless moment that Sylvesterbent above the prints. Then the expert looked up and shook his head. 

"No resemblance at all, " he said, and held out the sheet of paper onwhich the prints were. 

Silva accepted it silently, and rolled it into a ball in the palm ofhis hand. 

"Now for the other fellow, " said Goldberger. 

Silva glanced at his follower doubtfully. 

"I am not sure that I can make him understand, " he said, and for somemoments talked energetically to Mahbub in a language which I supposewas Hindu. Mahbub listened, scowling fiercely, speaking a briefsentence now and then. "He would know, " Silva asked, at last, turningto the coroner, "whether blood is a constituent of that ink. "

"It is a purely chemical compound, " Sylvester explained. "There is noblood in it, nor any other animal matter. "

This was repeated to Mahbub, and, after some further hesitation, headvanced to the table. 

A moment later, Sylvester was bending above the prints. Then he lookedup, his face red with astonishment, and motioned me to approach. 

"Look at that!" he said, and laid the prints before me. 

My heart was leaping with the hope that the incredible had happened;that here lay the clue to the mystery. But the first glance told methat such was not the case. The prints resembled Swain's not at all. And then, when I looked at them again, I perceived that they resembledno other prints which I had ever seen. 

For the prints of all ten fingers were exactly alike, and consisted, not of whorls and spirals, but of straight lines running right acrossthe finger. Sylvester was staring at them in bewilderment. 

"These, " he said, when he could find his voice, "are the mostremarkable prints I ever saw. "

"Do they resemble those on the robe?" asked the coroner. 

"Not in the least. "

"Then that settles that point, " said Goldberger, with what seemed tome a sigh of relief. 

"There is one thing, though, " said Sylvester, eyeing Mahbub curiously;"I wish I knew the secret of these extraordinary prints. "

"I can tell it to you, " said Silva, with a little smile. "It is not atall extraordinary. The system of finger-print identification has beenin use among the Hindus for many centuries, and was adopted by theEnglish courts in India nearly a hundred years ago, after every othermethod had failed. The caste of Thuggee, which was at war with allother castes, and especially at war with the English, evaded it bystimulating on the fingers of their male children the formation ofthese artificial ridges. It became a sacred rite, performed by thepriests, and has been maintained by the more devout members of thecaste, although the need for it has ceased. "

Sylvester looked at the prints again. 

"I should like to keep these, " he said. "They would be a greataddition to my collection. "

Silva bowed. 

"Mahbub will have no objection, " he said. "To him, they are of noimportance, since there are many hundreds of men in the world withfinger-tips identical with his. That is all?"

Goldberger nodded, and the two strange figures walked slowly awaytoward the house. 

CHAPTER XVI

MISS VAUGHAN'S STORY

Sylvester was still bending in ecstasy over those strangefinger-prints--the absorbed ecstasy of the collector who has comeunexpectedly upon a specimen wonderful and precious. 

"Well, " he said, looking up, at last, "I've learned something newto-day. These prints shall have the place of honour. They might not bea means of identification among the Thugs, but I'll wager there's nocollection in America has a set like them! They're unique!"

"But not in the least like the photographs, " put in Goldberger, drily. 

"No, " and Sylvester flushed a little as he felt himself jerked fromhis hobby. "None of the prints we have taken this afternoon resemblethe photographs in any way. "

"But those made by Mr. Swain _do_ resemble them?"

"It is more than a resemblance. They are identical with them. "

"What inference do you draw from that?"

"It is more than an inference, " Sylvester retorted. "It is acertainty. I am willing to swear that the finger-prints on the robeworn by the murdered man were made by Frederic Swain. "

"You realise the serious nature of this assertion?" asked the coroner, slowly. 

"I realise it fully. "

"And that realisation does not cause you to modify it in any way?"

"It cannot be modified, " said Sylvester, firmly, "however serious itmay be, however reluctant I may be to make it--it cannot be modifiedbecause it is the truth. "

There was a moment's silence, then Goldberger turned to me. 

"Have you any questions to ask the witness, Mr. Lester?"

"No, " I answered; "I have none. "

Sylvester bent again above his prints, while the coroner and theprosecutor held a brief consultation. Then Goldberger turned back tome. 

"Have you anything further, Mr. Lester?" he asked. "Our evidence isall in, I believe. "

I was driven to my last entrenchment. 

"I should like to call Miss Vaughan, " I said, "if Dr. Hinman thinksshe is strong enough. "

Swain's chair creaked as he swung toward me. 

"No, no!" he whispered, angrily. "Don't do that! Spare her that!"

But I waved him away, for it was his honour and welfare I had toconsider, not Miss Vaughan's convenience, and turned to Dr. Hinman, who was evidently struggling between two duties. One was his duty tohis patient; the other his duty to a man cruelly threatened, whom hispatient's testimony might save. 

"Well, what do you say, doctor?" asked the coroner. 

"Miss Vaughan is no doubt able to testify, " said the doctor, slowly, "but I should like to spare her as much as possible. Couldn't herdeposition be taken privately? I think you mentioned something of thesort. "

Goldberger looked at me. 

"I shall be satisfied, " I said, "to question her in the presence ofMr. Goldberger, reserving the right to put her on the stand, should Ideem it necessary to do so. "

"Very well, " agreed the doctor. "I will prepare her, " and he hurriedaway toward the house. 

Swain was gripping my arm savagely. 

"See here, Mr. Lester, " he said in my ear, his voice shaking withanger, "I'm in deadly earnest about this. Take Miss Vaughan'sdeposition if you wish, but under no circumstances shall she be hauledbefore this crowd, in her present condition, and compelled totestify. "

"Why not?" I asked, surprised at his vehemence. 

"Because, in the first place, her testimony can't help me; and, in thesecond place, I won't have her tortured. "

"She wouldn't be tortured. "

"Look around at these reporters and these photographers, and then tellme she wouldn't be tortured!"

"How do you know her evidence won't help you?"

"How can it?"

"It will confirm your story. "

"Can it explain away the finger-prints?"

At the words, I suddenly realised that there was one person withinstriking distance of the murdered man whose prints we had nottaken--his daughter. Not that they were necessary . . . 

Dr. Hinman appeared at the edge of the lawn and beckoned. As I arosefrom my chair, Swain gave my arm a last savage grip. 

"Remember!" he said. 

But I kept my lips closed. If Miss Vaughan really loved him, and couldhelp him, I would not need to urge her to the stand!

Goldberger joined me and together we followed Hinman into the houseand up the stairs. He opened the door at the stair-head, waited for usto precede him, followed us into the room, and closed the doorgently. 

Miss Vaughan was half-sitting, half-reclining in a large chair. Theblinds were drawn and the room in semi-darkness, but even in thatlight I could see how changed she was from the girl of whom I hadcaught a glimpse two days before. Her face was dead white, as thoughevery drop of blood had been drained from it; her eyes were heavy andpuffed, as from much weeping, and it seemed to me that there stilllingered in their depths a shadow of horror and shrinking fear. 

"This is Mr. Goldberger, " said the doctor, "and this is Mr. Lester. "

She inclined her head to each of us, as we took the chairs the doctordrew up, and I fancied that her cheeks flushed a little as her eyesmet mine. 

"I have explained to Miss Vaughan, " the doctor continued, "that aninquiry is in progress, as the law requires, to determine the mannerof her father's death, and that her story of what happened that nightis essential to it. "

"It will, at least, be a great help to us, " said Goldberger gently, and I saw how deeply the girl's delicate beauty appealed to him. Itwas a beauty which no pallor could disguise, and Goldberger'stemperament was an impressionable one. 

"I shall be glad to tell you all I know, " said Miss Vaughan, "but Ifear it will not help you much. "

"Will you tell us something, first, of your father's mental state?" Isuggested. 

"For many years, " she began, "father had been a student of mysticism, and until quite recently he remained merely a student. I mean by thatthat he approached the subject with a detached mind and with nointerest in it except a scientific interest. "

"I understand, " I said. "And that has changed recently?"

"It has changed completely in the last few months. He became adisciple, a convert anxious to win other converts. "

"A convert to what?"

"To Hinduism--to the worship of Siva. "

"That is the cult to which Francisco Silva belongs?"

"Yes; he is a White Priest of Siva. "

"And this change in your father has been since the coming of this man?"

"Yes. "

"Do you know anything of him?"

"Only that he is a very wonderful man. "

"You know nothing of his past?"

"No. "

"Did your father wish you to become a convert?"

"Yes, he desired it deeply. "

"A priestess of Siva, I believe it is called?"

"Yes. "

"And the yogi also desired it?"

"He believed it would be a great destiny. But he urged it only for myfather's sake. "

"So you determined to appeal to Mr. Swain?"

The colour deepened in her cheeks again. 

"I decided to ask his advice, " she said. 

"Please tell us what happened that evening. "

"Mr. Swain met me at the arbour in the corner of the grounds, as I hadasked him to, and convinced me that my father's mind had given wayunder his long study of the occult. We decided that he should beplaced in a sanitarium where he could have proper attention, and Mr. Swain was to make the necessary arrangements. All I would have to dowould be to sign some papers. We were just saying good-night, when myfather appeared at the entrance of the arbour. "

"This was about midnight, was it not?"

"Yes. "

"Why did you choose that hour for the meeting?"

"Because at that hour my father and the yogi were always engaged ininvoking an astral benediction. "

Even I, who knew the significance of the words, paused a little atthem. The doctor and Goldberger were hopelessly at sea. After all, thewords were a very good description of the weird ceremony. 

"Well, " I said, "and after your father appeared, what happened?"

"He was very excited and spoke to Mr. Swain in a most violent manner. Mr. Swain attempted to take me away from him, not knowing, at first, who it was had seized me; but I pushed him back and led my father awaytoward the house. "

"Did Mr. Swain touch your father?"

"No; I was between them all the time. I was determined that theyshould not touch each other. I was afraid, if they came together, thatsomething terrible would happen. "

Goldberger glanced at me. 

"Something terrible to your father?" he asked. 

"Oh, no, " she answered, quickly; "Mr. Swain would not have harmed myfather, but father did not know what he was doing and might haveharmed Mr. Swain. "

It was my turn to look at Goldberger. 

"After you left the arbour, " I asked, "did you see Mr. Swain again?"

"No, I did not see him again. "

"You went straight to the house?"

"Yes; father was still very violent. He had forbidden me to see Mr. Swain or to write to him. He had taken a violent dislike to him. "

"Do you know why?"

"Yes, " and she flushed a little, but went on bravely. "He believedthat Mr. Swain wished to marry me. "

"As, in fact, he did, " I commented. 

"Yes; or, at least, he did before his financial troubles came. Afterthat, he wished to give me up. "

"But you refused to be given up?"

"Yes, " she said, and looked at me with eyes beautifully radiant. "Irefused to be given up. "

I felt that I was rushing in where angels would hesitate to enter, andbeat a hasty retreat. 

"Was your father always opposed to your marriage?" I asked. 

"No; he has wanted me to wait until I was of age; but he neverabsolutely forbade it until a few months ago. It was at the time hefirst tried to persuade me to become a convert to Hinduism. "

"What occurred after you and your father reached the house?"

"Father was very angry, and demanded that I promise never to see Mr. Swain again. When I refused to promise, he sent me to my room, forbidding me to leave it without his permission. I came up at once, more than ever convinced that father needed medical attention. I wasvery nervous and over-wrought, and I sat down by the window to controlmyself before going to bed. And then, suddenly, I remembered somethingthe yogi had told me--that father was not strong, and that a fit ofanger might be very serious. I knew the servants had gone to bed, andthat he must be downstairs alone, since I had heard no one come up. "

"You had heard no one in the hall at all?" I asked. 

"No, I had heard no one. But I remember, as I started down the stairs, a curious feeling of dread seized me. It was so strong that I stoodfor some moments on the top step before I could muster courage to godown. At last, I _did_ go down and--and found my father!"

She stopped, her hands over her eyes, as though to shut away theremembrance of that dreadful sight. 

"Have you strength to tell me just what happened, Miss Vaughan?" Iasked gently. 

She controlled herself with an effort and took her hands from her face. 

"Yes, " she said; "I can tell you. I remember that I stood for amoment at the door, looking about the room, for at the first glance Ithought there was no one there. I thought, for an instant, that fatherhad gone into the grounds, for the curtain at the other door wastrembling a little, as though someone had just passed. "

"Ah!" I said, and looked at Goldberger. 

"It might have been merely the breeze, might it not?" he asked. 

"I suppose so. The next instant I saw my father huddled forward in hischair. I was sure he had had a seizure of some sort; I ran to him, andraised his head. . . . "

Again she stopped, her eyes covered, and a slow shudder shook her fromhead to foot. I could guess what a shock the sight of that horribleface had been!

"I do not remember anything more, " she added, in a whisper. 

For a moment, we all sat silent. The only portion of her evidencewhich could in any way help Swain was her discovery of the swayingcurtain, and even that, as Goldberger had pointed out, might easilymean nothing. 

"Miss Vaughan, " I said, at last, "how long a time elapsed from themoment you left your father in the library until you found him?"

"I don't know. Perhaps fifteen minutes. "

"Was he quite dead when you found him?"

"Yes, I--I think so. "

"Then, " I said to Goldberger, "the murder must have been committedvery soon after Miss Vaughan came upstairs. "

"Yes, " agreed Goldberger, in a low tone, "and by somebody who came infrom the grounds, since she met no one in the hall and heard no one. "

Miss Vaughan leaned toward him, her hands clasping and unclasping. 

"Do you know who it was?" she gasped. "Have you found out who it was?"

"We suspect who it was, " answered Goldberger gravely. 

"Tell me, " she began. 

"Wait a minute, Miss Vaughan, " I broke in. "Tell me, first--did youhear anyone following you across the garden?"

"Yes, " she answered thoughtfully; "once or twice I fancied thatsomeone was following us. It seemed to me I heard a step, but when Ilooked back I saw no one. "

"Did that fact make you uneasy?"

"No, " she said, with a little smile. "I thought it was Mr. Swain. "

I saw Goldberger's sudden movement. I myself could not repress alittle shudder. 

"You thought that would be the natural thing for Mr. Swain to do, didyou not?" the coroner inquired. 

"Yes--I thought he might wish to see me safe. " Then she stopped, leaning forward in her chair and staring first at Goldberger and thenat me. "What is it?" she whispered, her hands against her heart. "Oh, what is it? You don't mean--you can't mean--oh, tell me! It isn't Fredyou suspect! It can't be Fred!"

It was Dr. Hinman who laid a gentle and quieting hand upon hershoulder, and it was his grave voice which answered her. 

"Yes, " he said, "there are some things which seem to implicate Mr. Swain; but both Mr. Lester and I are certain he isn't guilty. We'regoing to prove it!"

She looked up at him with a grateful smile. 

"Thank you!" she gasped. "I--wait a moment--I was silly to give wayso. Of course you will prove it! It's absurd!" And then she stoppedand looked at Goldberger. "Do _you_ believe it?" she demanded. 

Goldberger flushed a little under her gaze. 

"I don't know what to believe, Miss Vaughan, " he said. "I'm searchingfor the truth. "

"So are we all, " I said. "I am counsel for Mr. Swain, Miss Vaughan, and I have come to you, hoping that your story would help to clear him. "

"Oh, I wish it might!" she cried. 

"You know Mr. Swain cut his wrist as he came over the wall that night?"

"Yes, he told me. He didn't know it was bleeding, at first; then hefelt the blood on his hand, and I wrapped his wrist in myhandkerchief. "

"Was it this handkerchief?" asked Goldberger, and took from his pocketthe blood-stained square and handed it to her. 

She took it with a little shiver, looked at it, and passed it back to him. 

"Yes, " she said; "that is it. "

Then she sat upright, her clenched hands against her breast, staringat us with starting eyes. 

"I remember now!" she gasped. "I remember now! I saw it--a blotch ofred--lying on the floor beside my father's chair! How did it getthere, Mr. Lester? Had he been there? Did he follow us?" She stoppedagain, as she saw the look in Goldberger's eyes, and then the look inmine. With a long, indrawn breath of horror, she cowered back into thechair, shaking from head to foot. "Oh, what have I done!" she moaned. "What have I done?"

There could be no question as to what she had done, I told myself, bitterly: she had added another link to the chain of evidence abouther lover. I could see the same thought in the sardonic gaze whichGoldberger turned upon me; but before either of us could say a word, the doctor, with a peremptory gesture, had driven us from the room. 

CHAPTER XVII

THE VERDICT

Goldberger paused at the stair-head and looked at me, an ironicallight in his eyes. I knew he suspected that Miss Vaughan's story ofthe handkerchief was no great surprise to me. 

"Well, " he asked, "will you wish to put her on the stand?"

I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far fromdesiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon thesleeve. 

"You realise, Mr. Lester, " he said, more seriously, "that it isplainly my duty to cause Swain's arrest?"

"Yes, " I assented. "I realise that. Under the circumstances, you cando nothing else. "

He nodded, and we went downstairs together. I saw Swain's eager eyesupon us as we came out upon the lawn, and his lips were at my ear theinstant I had taken my seat. 

"Well?" he whispered. 

"She cannot help you, " I said. I did not think it necessary to say howdeeply she would hurt him when her testimony was called for in opencourt, as, of course, it would be. 

"And you won't put her on the stand?"

"No, " I answered, and he sank back with a sigh of relief. Thensomething in my face seemed to catch his eye, for he leaned forwardagain. "You don't mean that she believes I did it!" he demandedhoarsely. 

"Oh, no, " I hastened to assure him; "she says such an accusation isabsurd; she was greatly overcome when she learned that you were evensuspected; she said. . . . "

But the coroner rapped for order. 

"Have you any other evidence to introduce, Mr. Lester?" he asked. 

"No, Your Honour, " I answered, and I saw the cloud of disappointmentwhich fell upon the faces of reporters and photographers. To have beenable to feature Miss Vaughan would have meant an extra column. I couldalso see, from the expression on the faces of the jury, that myfailure to put her on the stand made an unfavourable impression. Therewas, indeed, only one inference to draw from it. 

Goldberger turned aside for a few words with the prosecutor, and Isuspected that he was telling him of Miss Vaughan's discovery of theblood-stained handkerchief; but there was no way to get the storybefore the jury without calling her. They seemed to agree, at last, that they had evidence enough, for the jury was instructed to prepareits verdict. Its members withdrew a little distance under the trees, and gathered into a group to talk it over. 

I watched them for a moment, and then I turned to Swain. 

"I suppose you know, " I said, "that they're certain to find againstyou? Even if they don't, the district attorney will cause your arrestright away. "

He nodded. 

"I'm not worrying about that. I'm worrying about Miss Vaughan. Youwon't forget your promise?"

"No. "

"She'll have no one but you, " he went on rapidly. "Neither will I! Youmustn't fail us!"

"I shan't, " I promised. "But you'd better think about yourself alittle, Swain. "

"Plenty of time for that when I'm sure that Marjorie's safe. Theminute you tell me she's at the Royces', I'll begin to think aboutmyself. I'm not afraid. I didn't kill that man. No jury would convict me. "

I might have told him that convictions are founded on evidence, andthat the evidence in this case was certainly against him, but Ithought it better to hold my peace. The more confident he was, theless irksome he would find imprisonment. So I sat silent until themembers of the jury filed back into their places. 

"Have you reached a verdict, gentlemen?" the coroner asked, after hisclerk had polled them. 

"Yes, Your Honour, " the foreman answered. 

"What is the verdict?"

The foreman held out a folded paper to the clerk, who took it, openedit, and read:

"We, the jury in the inquest held this thirteenth day of June, 1908, into the death of one Worthington Vaughan, residing in the Borough ofthe Bronx, City of New York, do find that the deceased came to hisdeath by strangulation at the hands of one Frederic Swain. "

There was an instant's silence, and then Goldberger turned to the jury. 

"Is this your verdict, gentlemen?" he asked quietly; and each jurymanreplied in the affirmative as his name was called. "I thank you foryour services, " Goldberger added, directed his clerk to give themtheir vouchers on the city treasurer, and dismissed them. 

Simmonds and the assistant district attorney came toward us, and Iarose to meet them. Swain got up, also, and when I glanced at him Isaw that he was smiling. 

"I don't know whether you have met Mr. Blake, Mr. Lester, " saidSimmonds, and the prosecutor and I shook hands. I introduced him toSwain, but Swain did not offer his hand. 

"I suppose you've come to take me along?" he said, the smile still onhis lips. 

"I'm afraid we'll have to. "

"Would bail be considered?" I asked. 

"I'm afraid not, " and Blake shook his head. "It isn't a bailable offence. "

I knew, of course, that he was right and that it was of no use toargue or protest. Swain turned to me and held out his hand. 

"Then I'll say good-bye, Mr. Lester, " he said. "I'll hope to see youMonday. "

"You shall, " I promised. 

"And with good news, " he added. 

"Yes--and with good news. "

"Can we give you a lift?" Blake asked. 

"No, " I said, "thank you; but I'm staying out here for the present. "

I watched them as they climbed into a car--Goldberger, Blake, Simmondsand Swain; I saw the latter take one last look at the house; then hewaved to me, as the car turned into the highroad--at least, he wastaking it bravely! The coroner's assistants climbed into a second car, and the four or five policemen into a third. Then the reporters andphotographers piled into the others, the few stragglers who hadstraggled in straggled on again, and in five minutes the place wasdeserted. As I looked around, I was surprised to see that even Godfreyhad departed. There was something depressing about the jumble ofchairs and tables, the litter of paper on the grass--something sordid, as of a banquet-hall deserted by the diners. 

I turned away and started for the gate; and then, suddenly, I wonderedwho was in charge of the house. Who would give orders to clear awaythis litter? Who would arrange for the funeral on the morrow? Howcould Miss Vaughan do it, ill as she was? With quick resolution, Iturned back toward the house. As I did so, I was surprised to see aman appear at the edge of the lawn and run toward me. It was Hinman. 

"I was afraid I'd missed you, " he said. "Miss Vaughan wishes to seeyou. She's all alone here and needs some help. "

"I'd thought of that, " I said. "I was just coming to offer it. Is shebetter?"

"Yes, much better. I think she has realised the necessity ofconquering her nerves. Of course, we must still be careful. "

I nodded, and followed him into the house. Then I stopped inastonishment, for Miss Vaughan was sitting in a chair in the library. She rose as I entered, came a step toward me and held out her hand. 

"You must not think too badly of me, Mr. Lester, " she said. "I won'tgive way again, I promise you. "

"You have had a great deal to bear, " I protested, taking her hand inmine. "I think you have been very brave. I only hope that I can be ofsome service to you. "

"Thank you. I am sure you can. Let us all sit down, for we must havequite a talk. Dr. Hinman tells me that I shall need a lawyer. "

"Undoubtedly, " I assented. "Your father's estate will have to besettled, and that can only be done in the courts. Besides, in the eyesof the law, you are still a minor. "

"Will you be my lawyer, Mr. Lester?"

"It will be a great privilege, " I answered. 

"Then we will consider that settled?"

"Yes, " I agreed, "we will consider that settled. "

"But it is not business I wish to discuss to-day, " she went on, quickly. "There are other things more urgent. First, I wish to getacquainted with you. Have you not wondered, Mr. Lester, why it wasthat I chose you to deliver my letter?"

"I suppose it was because there was no one else, " I answered, lookingat her in some astonishment for the way she was rattling on. Thecolour was coming and going in her cheeks and her eyes were verybright. I wondered if she had escaped brain fever, after all. 

"No, " she said, smiling audaciously, "it was because I liked yourface--I knew you could be trusted. Of course, for a moment I wasstartled at seeing you looking down at me from a tree. I wonderedafterwards how you came to be there. "

"Just idle curiosity, " I managed to stammer, my face very hot. "I amsorry if I annoyed you. "

"Oh, but it was most fortunate, " she protested; "and a greatcoincidence, too, that you should be Mr. Swain's employer, and able toget hold of him at once. "

"It didn't do much good, " I said, gloomily; "and it has ended inputting Swain in jail. "

I happened to glance at her hands, folded in her lap, and saw thatthey were fairly biting into each other. 

"In jail!" she whispered, and now there was no colour in her face. 

"Forgive me, Miss Vaughan, " I said, hastily. "That was brutal. Iforgot you didn't know. "

"Tell me!" she panted. "Tell me! I can stand it! Oh, you foolish man, didn't you see--I was trying to nerve myself--I was trying to findout. . . . "

I caught the hands that were bruising themselves against each otherand held them fast. 

"Miss Vaughan, " I said, "listen to me and believe that I am tellingyou the whole truth. The coroner's jury returned a verdict that Swainwas guilty of your father's death. As the result of that verdict, hehas been taken to the Tombs. But the last words he said to me beforethe officers took him away were that he was innocent, and that he hadno fear. "

"Surely, " she assented, eagerly, "he should have no fear. But to thinkof him in prison--it tears my heart!"

"Don't think of it that way!" I protested. "He is bearing itbravely--when I saw him last, he was smiling. "

"But the stain--the disgrace. "

"There will be none; he shall be freed without stain--I will see to that. "

"But I cannot understand, " she said, "how the officers of the lawcould blunder so. "

"All of the evidence against him, " I said, "was purely circumstantial, except in one particular. He was in the grounds at the time the murderwas committed; your father had quarrelled with him, and it waspossible that he had followed you and your father to the house, perhaps not knowing clearly what he was doing, and that anotherquarrel had occurred. But that amounted to nothing. Young men likeSwain, even when half-unconscious, don't murder old men by stranglingthem with a piece of curtain-cord. To suppose that Swain did so wouldbe absurd, but for one thing--no, for two things. "

"What are they?" she demanded. 

"One is that the handkerchief which you had tied about his wrist wasfound beside your father's chair--but it was not upon that the jurymade its finding. "

"What was it, then?"

"It was this: Swain swore positively that at no time during theevening had he touched your father. "

"Yes, yes; and that was true. He could not have touched him. "

"And yet, " I went on slowly, "prints of Swain's blood-stained fingerswere found on your father's robe. "

"But, " she gasped, pulling her hands away from me and wringing themtogether, "how could that be? That is impossible!"

"I should think so, too, " I agreed, "if I had not seen the prints withmy own eyes. "

"You are sure they were his--you are sure?"

"I am afraid there can be no doubt of it, " and I told her howSylvester had proved it. 

She listened motionless, mute, scarce-breathing, searching my facewith distended eyes. Then, suddenly, her face changed, she rose fromher chair, flew across the room, opened a book-case and pulled out abulky volume bound in vellum. She turned the pages rapidly, givingeach of them only a glance. Suddenly she stopped, and stared at apage, her face livid. 

"What is it?" I asked, and hastened to her. 

"It is the book of finger-prints, " she gasped. "A great many--oh, agreat many--my father collected and studied them for years. Hebelieved--I do not know what he believed. "

She paused, struggling for breath. 

"Well, " I said; "what then?"

"Mr. Swain's was among them, " she went on, in the merest whisper. "They were here--page two hundred and thirty--see, there is anindex--'Swain, F. , page two hundred and thirty. '"

She pointed at the entry with a shaking finger. 

"Well, " I said again, striving to understand, "what of it?"

"Look!" she whispered, holding the book toward me, "that page is nolonger there! It has been torn out!"

Then, with a convulsive shudder, she closed the book, thrust it backinto its place, and ran noiselessly to the door leading to the hall. She swept back the curtain and looked out. 

"Oh, is it you, Annie?" she said, and I saw the Irish maid standingjust outside. "I was about to call you. Please tell Henry to bringthose tables and chairs in from the lawn. "

"Yes, ma'am, " said the girl, and turned away. 

Miss Vaughan stood looking after her for a moment, then dropped thecurtain and turned back again into the room. I saw that she hadmastered her emotion, but her face was still dead white. 

As for me, my brain was whirling. What if Swain's finger-prints _were_missing from the book? What connection could that have with theblood-stains on the robe? What was the meaning of Miss Vaughan'semotion? Who was it she had expected to find listening at the door? Icould only stare at her, and she smiled slightly as she saw my look. 

"But what is it you suspect?" I stammered. "I don't see. . . . "

"Neither do I, " she broke in. "But I am trying to see--I am trying tosee!" and she wrung her hands together. 

"The disappearance of the prints seems plain enough to me, " saidHinman, coming forward. "Mr. Vaughan no doubt tore them out himself, when he took his violent dislike to Swain. The act would becharacteristic of a certain form of mania. Nobody else would have anymotive for destroying them; in fact, no one else would dare mutilate abook he prized so highly. "

Miss Vaughan seemed to breathe more freely, but her intent inward lookdid not relax. 

"At least that is an explanation, " I agreed. 

"It is the true explanation, " said Hinman, confidently. "Can yousuggest any other, Miss Vaughan?"

"No, " she said, slowly; "no, " and walked once or twice up and down theroom. Then she seemed to put the subject away from her. "At any rate, it is of no importance. I wish to speak to you about my father'sfuneral, Dr. Hinman, " she went on, in another tone. "It is to beto-morrow?"

"Yes--at eleven o'clock. I have made such arrangements as I couldwithout consulting you. But there are some things you will have totell me. "

"What are they?"

"Do you desire a minister?"

"No. He would not have wished it. If there is any priest, it will behis own. "

"You mean the yogi?"

"Yes. "

"Are there any relatives to inform?"

"No. "

"Where shall the body be buried?"

"It must not be buried. It must be given to the flames. That was hiswish. "

"Very well. I will arrange for cremation. Will you wish to accompany it?"

"No, no!" she cried, with a gesture of repugnance. 

"That is all, then, I believe, " said Hinman slowly. "And now I must begoing. I beg you not to overtax yourself. "

"I shall not, " she promised, and he bowed and left us. 

The afternoon was fading into evening, and the shadows were deepeningin the room. I glanced about me with a little feeling of apprehension. 

"The nurses are still here, are they not?" I asked. 

"Yes; but I shall dismiss them to-morrow. "

I hesitated a moment. I did not wish to alarm her, and yet. . . . 

"After they are gone, it will be rather lonesome for you here, " Iventured. 

"I am used to being lonesome. "

"My partner's wife, Mrs. Royce, would be very glad if you would cometo her, " I said. "I have a letter from her, " and I gave it to her. 

She stood considering it with a little pucker of perplexity betweenher brows. She did not attempt to open it. 

"She is very kind, " she murmured, and her tone surprised anddisappointed me. 

"May I see you to-morrow?"

"If you wish. "

"I shall come some time during the afternoon, " I said, and took up myhat. "There is nothing else I can do for you?"

"No, I believe not. "

She was plainly preoccupied and answered almost at random, with acoldness in sharp contrast to the warmth of her previous manner. 

"Then I will say good-bye. "

"Good-bye, Mr. Lester; and thank you. "

She went with me to the door, and stood for a moment looking after me;then she turned back into the house. And I went on down the avenuewith a chill at my heart. 

CHAPTER XVIII

BUILDING A THEORY

I was surprised, when I came down for dinner an hour later, to findGodfrey awaiting me. 

"I always try to make it, Saturday night, " he explained. "The chiefthrows the work on the other fellows, if he can. That's the reason Ihustled away after the inquest. The story's all in, and now we'll havea good dinner--if I do say it myself--and then a good talk. I feel theneed of a talk, Lester. "

"So do I, " I said; "though I'm afraid talking won't help us much. "

"The funny thing about this case is, " mused Godfrey, "that the fartherwe get into it the thicker it grows. "

"Yes, " I agreed, "and the more one thinks about it, the less oneunderstands. "

"Well, suppose we get away from it for a while, " said Godfrey, andturned the talk to other things. No man could talk more delightfullyof music, of art, of letters. How he managed it I could never guess, but he seemed to have read everything, to have seen everything, tohave heard everything. Marryat, for instance; who reads Marryatnowadays? And yet he had read the "Phantom Ship, " and so knewsomething of Goa. An hour passed very quickly, but at last he rose andled the way into his study. 

"A friend of mine dropped in to see me to-day at the office, " heremarked, "a Cuban planter who comes up to New York occasionally, andwhom I happened to help out of a rather serious difficulty a few yearsago. Perhaps some day I'll tell you about it. He always brings me abundle of his own special cigars. I didn't see him to-day, but he leftthe cigars, and I want you to try one. Perhaps it will give you aninspiration. "

He went to his desk, opened a tin-foiled package that lay there, andcarefully extracted two long cigars of a rich and glowing brown. 

"Perhaps you've heard of the special cigars that are made for PierpontMorgan, " he went on, as he handed one to me, after carefully replacingthe wrappings of the bundle. "Well, I smoked one of Morgan's cigarsonce--it was good, mighty good; but it wasn't in the same class withthese. Light up. "

I did. Never before had I drawn between my lips a breath sosatisfying--so rich, so smooth, so full of flavour. I exhaled thefragrant smoke slowly. 

"Godfrey, " I said, "I never knew what tobacco was before. Are thesecigars purchasable? I'm only a poor lawyer, but even one a month wouldbe a thing to look forward to and dream about. "

But Godfrey shook his head. 

"I've felt like that, " he said; "but they're not to be had for money. And now about Swain. "

"Let's postpone it a little longer, " I begged. "I don't want my minddistracted. "

Godfrey laughed, but fell silent; and for the next half hour, no soundwas heard. 

"Now, " I said, at last, "I'm ready to listen, so fire ahead wheneveryou want to. "

"I haven't much to tell, " he began; "nothing new about the case. But Istopped at the Tombs, before I started back, to make sure that Swainhad everything he wanted. They'd given him an upper cell, and sentover to the Marathon and got him his things, and I arranged to havehis meals sent in to him from Moquin's. "

"I ought to have thought of that, " I said, contritely. "I'm muchobliged to you, Godfrey. Did you see him?"

"Only for a minute. He seemed fairly cheerful. He'd had them bringsome of his law books to him, and remarked that he'd have plenty oftime to study. I like the way he's taking it. He gave me a message foryou. "

"What was it?"

"That you are not to forget your promise. "

I smoked on for a few moments in silence. 

"I promised him I'd get Miss Vaughan away from that house, " I said atlast. "I had Mrs. Royce write her a note, inviting her to stay withher. I gave it to her this afternoon. "

"What did she say?"

"She didn't say anything, but I could see the idea didn't impress her. And I had thought all along that she would jump at it. "

Godfrey gave a little grunt, whether of surprise or satisfaction Icould not tell. 

"Why didn't you put her on the stand to-day, Lester?" he asked. "Afraid of upsetting her?"

"I wouldn't have stopped for that, if her evidence would have helpedSwain. But it would only have put him deeper in the hole. "

"In what way?"

"Well, in the first place, she says that as she and her fatherreturned to the house, she heard footsteps behind them and thought itwas Swain following them, because that would be a natural thing forhim to do; and, in the second place, she saw that blood-stainedhandkerchief on the floor beside her father's chair when she came intothe room and found him dead. "

"So, " said Godfrey slowly, "it couldn't have been dropped there bySwain when he stooped to pick her up. "

"No; besides, we know perfectly well that it wasn't about his wristwhen he came back over the wall. Goldberger knows it, too, and we'llbe asked about it, next time. "

"It might have been pushed up his sleeve--we weren't absolutelycertain. But this new evidence settles it. "

I assented miserably and Godfrey smoked on thoughtfully. But my cigarhad lost some of its flavour. 

"How did Miss Vaughan come to find the body?" he asked at last, and Itold him the story as she had told it to me. He thought it over forsome moments; then he leaned forward and laid his hand on my knee. 

"Now, Lester, " he said, "let's review this thing. It can't be as darkas it seems--there's light somewhere. Here is the case, bared of allinessentials: Swain crosses the wall about eleven o'clock, cutting hiswrist as he does so; Miss Vaughan meets him about eleven-thirty, andafter a time, finds that his wrist is bleeding and ties herhandkerchief about it; they agree to have her father examined forlunacy, arrange a meeting for the next night, and are about toseparate, when her father rushes in upon them, savagely berates Swainand takes his daughter away. That must have been about twelve o'clock. 

"Swain, according to his story, sits there for ten or fifteen minutes, finally sees the cobra, or thinks he does, and makes a dash forsafety, striking his head sharply against a tree. He tumbles over thewall in a half-dazed condition. The handkerchief is no longer abouthis wrist. That, you will remember, was about twelve-twenty. 

"Almost at once we heard Miss Vaughan's screams. After that, Swainisn't out of our sight for more than a minute--too short a time, anyway, for anything to have happened we don't know about. 

"Meanwhile, Miss Vaughan has returned with her father to the house, hearing steps behind her and taking it for granted that it is Swainfollowing at a distance. She goes to her room, stays there fifteenminutes or so, and comes downstairs again to find her father dead. 

"Now let us see what had happened. You were right in saying that herfather must have been strangled immediately after she left him. Otherwise he would still have been twitching in such a way that shemust have noticed it. No doubt he dropped into the chair exhausted byhis fit of rage; the murderer entered through the garden door, stopped to cut off the end of the curtain-cord and make a noose ofit--that would have taken at least a minute--and then strangled hisvictim. Then he heard her coming down the stairs, and escaped throughthe garden-door again just as she entered at the other. She saw thecurtain still shaking. Then she fainted. 

"Now, what are the clues to the murderer? A string tied with apeculiar knot, the blood-stained handkerchief, and the finger-printson the dead man's robe. "

Godfrey paused for a moment. Freed of its inessentials, in this way, the case was beautifully clear--and beautifully baffling. It was apaved way, smooth and wide and without obstruction of any kind; but itended in a cul-de-sac!

"One thing is certain, " Godfrey went on, at last; "the murder wascommitted by somebody--either by Swain, or by one of the Hindus, or bysome unknown. Let us weigh the evidence for and against each of them. 

"Against Swain it may be urged that he was on the ground, that he hadtime to do it, and some provocation, though the provocation, as weknow it, seems to be inadequate, provided Swain was in his right mind;a handkerchief which was tied about his wrist is found beside thebody, and his finger-prints are found upon it. Miss Vaughan believedhe was following them; he admits that he thought of doing so. 

"In his favour, it may be urged that a man like Swain doesn't commitmurder--though, as a matter of fact, this is a dangerousgeneralisation, for all sorts of men commit murder; but if he shoulddo so, it would be only under great provocation and in the heat ofanger, certainly not in cold blood with a noose; and, finally, if themotion of the curtain Miss Vaughan noticed was made by the murderer, it couldn't possibly have been Swain, because he was with us at thatmoment. You will see that there is a mass of evidence against him, andpractically the whole defence is that such a crime would be impossibleto one of his temperament. You know yourself how flimsy such a defenceis. 

"Against the Hindus, on the other hand, practically the only basis forsuspicion is that such a crime might be temperamentally possible tothem. They may have been on the ground, and the method of the murdersavours strongly of Thuggee--though don't forget that Swain admittedhe could have tied that knot. Besides, if it was the Thug who followedthem, he wouldn't have made any noise, and most certainly he couldn'thave left the prints of Swain's fingers on the body. But if Swain isright in his assertion that he saw the snake in the arbour, it isprobable that the Thug wasn't far away. 

"Against an unknown it may be urged that neither Swain nor the Hinduscould have committed the crime; but I don't see how an unknown couldeither, unless he happened to be one of the three or four people inthe world with finger-tips like Swain's. And that is too far-fetchedto be believable. 

"But this I am sure of, Lester, " and Godfrey leaned forward again:"the murder was committed either by Swain or by someone anxious toimplicate Swain. We agree that it wasn't Swain. Very well, then: theperson who committed the murder made a noise in following Miss Vaughanand her father so that she should think it was Swain who was followingthem; he picked up the blood-stained handkerchief, which Swain haddropped perhaps when he fled from the arbour, and placed it beside thebody; and in some way inconceivable to me he pressed the prints ofSwain's fingers on the dead man's robe. Now, to do that, he must haveknown that Swain was injured--the blood-stained handkerchief wouldtell him that; but he must also have known that it was his right handthat was injured. There was no blood on Swain's left hand. "

Again Godfrey paused. I was following his reasoning with suchabsorbed attention that I could feel my brain crinkle with the effort. 

"Now, listen, " said Godfrey, and I could have smiled at theuselessness of the admonition--as if I were not already listening withall my faculties! "There is only one way in which the murderer couldhave known that it was Swain's right hand, and that was by overhearingthe conversation in the arbour. But if he overheard that much, heoverheard it all, and he knew therefore what it was Swain proposed todo. He knew that Vaughan's sanity was to be questioned; he knew thathe would probably be placed in a sanitarium; he knew that Miss Vaughanwould probably marry Swain. Presuming that it was Silva, he knew that, unless something was done to stop it, a very few days would place bothVaughan and his daughter beyond his reach. "

"That is true, " I admitted; "but Vaughan was beyond his reach a gooddeal more certainly dead than he would have been in a sanitarium. Besides, it isn't at all certain that he would have been sent to asanitarium. "

"That's an objection, surely, " Godfrey agreed; "but I must find out ifVaughan is really beyond his reach dead. "

I stared at him. 

"You don't mean. . . . "

"I don't know what I mean, Lester. I can feel a sort of dim meaningat the back of my mind, but I can't get it out into the light. "

"Besides, " I went on, "if the yogi did it, how did he get back intothe house before we got there?"

"He peeped in at the door, saw the coast was clear, and went backthrough the library. Remember, Miss Vaughan was unconscious. Thatdoesn't bother me. And another thing, Lester. How did Miss Vaughan'sfather come to burst in on her and Swain like that? How did he knowthey were in the arbour? It was dark and he couldn't have seen eitherof them. "

"He might have been walking about the grounds and overheard them. "

"I don't believe it. I believe somebody told him they were there. Andonly one person could have told him--that is Silva. No--there's onlyone point I can't get past--that's the finger-prints. "

And then I remembered. 

"Godfrey, " I cried, "there's one thing--I forgot to tell you. Youheard Swain remark that Vaughan was a collector of finger-prints?"

"Yes. "

"And that he had a set of Swain's?"

"Yes. "

"Well, when I told Miss Vaughan about the prints on her father'srobe, she ran to a book-case and got out a book. It had Vaughan'scollection in it, all bound together. But the page on which Swain'swere had been torn out. "

Godfrey sat for a moment, staring at me spell-bound. Then he beganpacing up and down the study, like a tiger in its cage; up and down, up and down. 

"I'm bound to add, " I went on finally, "that Hinman suggested a veryplausible reason for their disappearance. "

"What was it?"

"He said they were probably destroyed by Vaughan himself, because ofhis dislike of Swain. He said that would be characteristic ofVaughan's form of insanity. "

Godfrey took another turn up and down, then he stopped in front of mychair. 

"What did Miss Vaughan think of that explanation?" he asked. 

"It didn't seem to impress her, but I don't remember that she made anycomment. "

He stood a moment longer staring down at me, and I could feel theintense concentration of his mind; then he ran his fingers impatientlythrough his hair. 

"I can't get it, Lester!" he said. "I can't get it. But I _will_ getit! It's there! It's there, just out of reach. " He shrugged hisshoulders and glanced at his watch. "I'm getting dippy, " he added, inanother tone. "Let's go out and get a breath of air. "

I followed him out into the yard--I knew where he was going--among thetrees and up the ladder. Silently we took our places on the limb;silently we stared out into the darkness. 

And there, presently, the strange star glowed and burned steel-blue, and floated slowly down, and burst above a white-robed figure, standing as though carved in marble, its arms extended, its headthrown back. 

"That fellow is certainly an artist, " Godfrey muttered, as he led theway back to the house. 

CHAPTER XIX

THE YOGI CONQUERS

The events of the day that followed--Sunday--I shall pass over asbriefly as may be. It was for me a day of disappointment, culminatingin despair, and, looking back at it, I remember it as a grey day, windy, and with gusts of rain. 

Dr. Hinman stopped for us, and Godfrey and I accompanied him to theservice over the body of the murdered man. We were the only outsidersthere, besides the undertaker and his assistants, and they were notadmitted to the ceremony. This was witnessed only by Miss Vaughan, Mahbub and us three. The servants were not there, and neither wereMiss Vaughan's nurses. 

I have never seen a more impressive figure than Silva made thatmorning. His robes were dead black, and in contrast to them and to hishair and beard, his face looked white as marble. But, after the firstmoments, the ceremony failed to interest me; for Silva spoke alanguage which I supposed to be Hindustani, and there was a monotonyabout it and about his gestures which ended in getting on my nerves. It lasted half an hour, and the moment it was over, Miss Vaughanslipped away. The yogi and Mahbub followed her, and then we threestepped forward for a last look at the body. 

It was robed all in white. The undertaker had managed to compose thefeatures, and the high stock concealed the ugly marks upon the neck. So there was nothing to tell of the manner of his death, and there wasa certain majesty about him as he lay with hands crossed and eyesclosed. 

We left the room in silence, and Hinman signed to the undertaker thatthe service was ended. 

"I am going with the body to the crematory, " he said, and presentlydrove away with the undertaker, ahead of the hearse. Godfrey and Istood gazing after it until it passed from sight, then, in silence, wewalked down the drive to the entrance. The gardener was standingthere, and regarded us with eyes which seemed to me distinctlyunfriendly. He made no sign of recognition, and, the moment we wereoutside, he closed the gates and locked them carefully, as thoughobeying precise instructions. 

"So, " said Godfrey, in a low tone, as we went on together, "the lockhas been repaired. I wonder who ordered that done?"

"Miss Vaughan, no doubt, " I answered. "She wouldn't want those gatesgaping open. "

"Perhaps not, " Godfrey assented; "but would she want the barrierintact? Remember, Lester, it's as much a barrier from one side as fromthe other. "

"Well, she won't be inside it much longer, " I assured him. "I'm goingto get her out this afternoon. "

The words were uttered with a confidence I was far from feeling, and Irather expected Godfrey to challenge it, but he walked on withoutreplying, his head bent in thought, and did not again speak of MissVaughan or her affairs. 

He drove into the city shortly after lunch, and it was about themiddle of the afternoon when I presented myself again at the gates ofElmhurst and rang the bell. I waited five minutes and rang again. Finally the gardener came shuffling down the drive and asked me what Iwanted. I told him I had an appointment with his mistress; but, instead of admitting me, he took my card and shuffled away with it. 

I confess that I grew angry, as I stood there kicking my heels at theroadside, for he was gone a long time, and all these precautions anddelays were incomprehensible to me. But he came back at last, unlockedthe gate without a word, and motioned me to enter. Then he locked itagain, and led the way up the drive to the house. The housemaid metus at the door of the library, as though she had been stationed there. 

"If you will wait here, sir, " she said, "Miss Vaughan will see you. "

"I hope she is well, " I ventured, thinking the girl might furnish mewith some clue to all this mystery, but she was already at the door. 

"Quite well, sir, " she said, and the next instant had disappeared. 

Another ten minutes elapsed, and then, just as I was thinkingseriously of putting on my hat and leaving the house, I heard a stepcoming down the stair. A moment later Miss Vaughan stood on thethreshold. 

I had taken it for granted that, relieved of her father's presence, she would return to the clothing of every day; but she still wore theflowing white semi-Grecian garb in which I had first seen her. I couldnot but admit that it added grace and beauty to her figure, as well asa certain impressiveness impossible to petticoats; and yet I felt asense of disappointment. For her retention of the costume could onlymean that her father's influence was still dominant. 

"You wished to see me?" she asked; and again I was surprised, for Ihad supposed she would apologise for the delay to which I had beensubjected. Instead, she spoke almost as to a stranger. 

"I had an appointment for this afternoon, " I reminded her, strivingto keep my vexation from my voice. 

"Oh, yes, " and she came a few steps into the room, but her face lostnone of its coldness. "I had forgotten. It is not to speak ofbusiness?"

"No, " I said; "it is to speak of your going to friends of Mr. Swainand me--for a time, at least. "

"You will thank your friends for me, " she answered, calmly; "but Ihave decided to remain here. "

"But--but, " I stammered, taken aback at the finality of her tone, "doyou think it wise?"

"Yes--far wiser than going to people I do not know and who do notknow me. "

"And safe, " I persisted; "do you think it safe?"

"Safe?" she echoed, looking at me in astonishment. "Certainly. Whathave I to fear?"

I had to confess that I myself did not know very clearly what she hadto fear, so I temporised. 

"Are you keeping the nurses?"

"No; I do not need them. They left an hour ago. "

"But the servants, " I said, in a panic, "they are here? They are goingto stay?"

Again she looked at me. 

"Your questions seem most extraordinary to me, Mr. Lester. Of coursethe servants will stay. "

"And--and the Hindus?" I blurted out. 

"Yes, and the Hindus, as you call them. This is their home. It was myfather's wish. "

I gave it up; her manner indicated that all this was no concern ofmine, and that my interference was a mere impertinence. But I triedone parting shot. 

"Mr. Swain is very anxious you should not stay here, " I said. "He willbe deeply grieved when he learns your decision. "

To this she made no answer, and, finding nothing more to say, sore atheart, and not a little angry and resentful, I started to leave theroom. 

"There is one thing more, " I said, turning back at the threshold. "Ishall have to go in to the city to-morrow, but I shall come out againin the evening. Would it be convenient to have our business conferenceafter dinner?"

"Yes, " she agreed; "that will do very well. "

"At eight o'clock, then?"

"I shall expect you at that time, " she assented; and with that I tookmy leave. 

It was in a most depressed state of mind that I made my way back toGodfrey's; and I sat down on the porch and smoked a pipe of bittermeditation. For I felt that, somehow, Miss Vaughan was slipping awayfrom me. There had been a barrier between us to-day which had not beenthere before, a barrier of coldness and reserve which I could notpenetrate. Some hostile influence had been at work; in death, evenmore than in life, perhaps, her father's will weighed upon her. Icould imagine how a feeling of remorse might grow and deepen, and urgeher toward foolish and useless sacrifice. 

And just then Mrs. Hargis came out and told me that someone wanted meon the 'phone. It was Swain. 

"They let me come out here to the office to 'phone to you, " he said, as he heard my exclamation of surprise. "Simmonds happened in and toldthem it would be all right. He's here now. "

"And they're treating you all right?"

"They're treating me like the star boarder, " he laughed. And then hisvoice grew suddenly serious. "Have you seen Miss Vaughan?"

"Yes, " I answered; for I knew of course that the question was coming. 

"Well?"

"Miss Vaughan refuses to go to the Royces', Swain. "

There was a moment's silence. 

"Then where will she go?"

"She won't go anywhere. "

"You don't mean, " he cried, panic in his voice, "that she's going tostay out there?"

"Yes; she laughed when I mentioned danger. There's oneconsolation--the servants will stay. "

"Did you tell her how anxious I was for her?"

"Yes; I did my best, Swain. "

"And it made no difference?"

"No; it made no difference. The fact is, Swain, I fancy she's a littleremorseful about her father--his death has unnerved her--and there wasthe funeral to-day--and, as a sort of atonement, she's trying to dowhat she imagines he would wish her to do. "

"He wished her to become a priestess, " said Swain, his voice ghastly. 

"Oh, well, she won't go that far, " I assured him cheerfully; "and nodoubt in a few days, when the first impression of the tragedy has wornoff, she will be ready to go to the Royces'. I'll keep suggesting it, and I'm going to have Mrs. Royce call on her. "

"Thank you, Mr. Lester, " he said, but his voice was still shaking. "I--this sort of knocks me out--I hadn't foreseen it. I'll have tothink it over. But there's one thing you _can_ do. "

"What is it?"

"Watch the house!" he cried. "Watch the house! And be ready if shescreams again. "

"All right, " I said, soothingly, "I'll do that. But tell me, Swain, what is it you fear?"

"I fear Silva!" said Swain, in a voice husky with emotion. "It isn'tremorse for her father--it's Silva who's working on her. I feel it, some way--I'm sure of it. God knows what he'll try--any villainy. Youmust watch the house, Mr. Lester--day and night you must watch thehouse!"

"All right, " I said, again, strangely impressed by his words. "You maycount on me. "

"Thank you, " he said. "Remember, we've only you. Good-bye. "

Swain's words gave me plenty to think over, and left me so troubledand uneasy that I made a trip to the top of the ladder to take a lookover Elmhurst. But everything appeared as usual. Perhaps Swain wasright--perhaps it _was_ Silva who was using every minute to increasehis influence; but what could I do? So long as he committed no overtact, there was no excuse for interference, and Miss Vaughan wouldundoubtedly resent it. As Swain had said, there was nothing that Icould do but watch. 

Two hours later, just as I was getting up from a dinner to which, inmy perturbed condition, I had done small justice, I heard a ring atthe bell, and presently Mrs. Hargis entered to tell me that there wasa gentleman asking for me. I went out to meet him, and was astonishedto find that it was Simmonds. 

"I don't wonder you're surprised, " he said, as we sat down. "Fact is, I'm surprised myself, for I don't know exactly what I'm to do outhere. But Swain, after he got back to his cell, was like a crazy man;he was sure something dreadful was going to happen to Miss Vaughan ifshe stayed in the house with those Hindus. In the end, he got me kindof scared, too, and made me promise to come out and help you keepwatch. I went down to the _Record_ office and had a talk with Godfreybefore I started. I half expected him to laugh at me; but he seemed tothink I'd better come. The fact is, " concluded Simmonds, shifting hiscigar to the other side of his mouth, "he was so serious about it, that I brought two men along. One of them's patrolling the road infront of the house, and the other the road along the side. I'vearranged for two others to relieve them at midnight. Now, what's itall about, anyway?"

"Well, " I said, "in the first place, neither Godfrey nor I believesthat Swain strangled that man. "

"I can't hardly believe it myself, " agreed Simmonds, "for he seems anice young feller; but it's a clear case: there's the motive, he wason the ground, and there's the finger-prints. How can you explain themaway?"

"I can't explain them away. But, just the same, Godfrey believes themurder was committed by one of those Hindus. "

"He intimated something of the sort to me, " said Simmonds; "butthere's no evidence against them. "

"No, " I conceded; "that's what we've got to find. "

"Where are we going to look for it?"

"There's only one place to look for it, and that's in the house wherethe murder was committed. I only wish we could get Miss Vaughan out ofit--that would give us a freer hand. "

"What's the matter with the fool girl, anyway?" demanded Simmonds. "Ishould think she'd jump at a chance to get away. "

"So should I--but she isn't reasonable, just now. I can't make herout. Perhaps she'll come round in a day or two, but meanwhile, if sheshould happen to need help, I don't see how your men out on the road, on the other side of a twelve-foot wall, could do any good. "

Simmonds rubbed his chin thoughtfully. 

"What would you suggest?" he asked, at last. 

"Why not put them in the grounds, as soon as it is dark, and let themconceal themselves near the house? They can get over the wall on thisside. We've got ladders. Besides, " I added, "it would be a greatmistake to give Silva any reason to suspect he's being watched. He'dsee the men out on the road, sooner or later; but they could keep outof sight among the shrubbery. "

Simmonds considered this for a moment. 

"I don't know but what you're right, " he agreed, at last. "We'llarrange it that way, then, " and he went away presently to call in hismen. He soon came back with them, and gave them careful and detailedinstructions as to what he wanted them to do, dwelling especially uponthe importance of their keeping carefully concealed. Then we got theladders and put them in place. 

"Be careful not to touch the top of the wall, " I cautioned them;"there's broken glass on top, and the merest touch may mean a badinjury. "

"When you get down on the other side, " Simmonds added, "take down theladder and hide it in the shrubbery at the foot of the wall. Somebodymight see it if you left it standing there. But for heaven's sake, don't get mixed up so you can't find it again. Be back here ateleven-thirty, and your relief will be ready. You've got yourwhistles? Well, blow them good and hard if there's any trouble. Andbe mighty careful not to let anyone see you, or you may get snake-bit!"

The men mounted the ladder, crossed the wall and disappeared on theother side, and Simmonds and I turned back to the house. I felt asthough a great load had been lifted from my shoulders. With those twomen so close at hand, surely nothing very serious could happen to MissVaughan!

Simmonds and I spent the remainder of the evening in discussing thecase, but neither of us was able to shed any new light upon it. Shortly after eleven, the two men who were to form the relief arrived, and just as we started for the wall, Godfrey drove in from thehighway. It needed but a moment to tell him of our arrangements, whichhe heartily approved. He joined us, and we were soon at the foot ofthe ladder. While we waited, Simmonds gave the new men the same minuteinstructions he had given the others; and presently we heard a slightscraping against the wall, and the men who had been on duty recrossed it. 

They had nothing of especial interest to report. The yogi and MissVaughan had taken a stroll through the grounds early in the evening;and my heart sank as the detective added that they seemed to betalking earnestly together. Then they had re-entered the house, andMiss Vaughan had remained in the library looking at a book, while hercompanion passed on out of sight. At the end of an hour, she hadclosed the book, shut and locked the outer door, and turned out thelight. Another light had appeared shortly afterwards in a roomupstairs. It, too, had been extinguished half an hour later, and thedetectives presumed that she had gone to bed. After that, the househad remained in complete darkness. The servants had spent the eveningsitting on a porch at the rear of the house, talking together, but hadgone in early, presumably to bed. 

When the men had finished their report, Simmonds dismissed them, andthe two who were to take up the watch crossed the wall and passed fromsight. 

"And now, Simmonds, " said Godfrey, "come along and I'll show you whatstarted me to watching that house, and caused me to get Lester out here. "

Simmonds followed him up the ladder without a word, and I came alongbehind. We were soon on the limb. 

"Of course, " Godfrey added, when we were in place, "it is justpossible that nothing will happen. But I think the show will come offas usual. Look straight out over the trees, Simmonds--ah!"

High in the heavens that strange star sprang suddenly into being, glowed, brightened, burned steel-blue; then slowly and slowly itfloated down, straight down; hovered, burst into a thousand sparks. . . . 

And, scarcely able to believe my eyes, I saw standing there againstthe night two white-robed figures, with arms extended and facesraised; and then they vanished again into the darkness. 

For an instant we sat there silent, still staring. Then Godfrey drew adeep breath. 

"I feared so!" he said. "Miss Vaughan has become a convert!"

And he led the way down the ladder. 

CHAPTER XX

CHECKMATE!

I was honestly glad to get back to the office, next morning, for Ifelt the need of work--absorbing work--to take my mind off the problemof Worthington Vaughan's death, and especially to relieve me from thedepression into which his daughter's inexplicable conduct had plungedme. When I thought of her, it was with impatience and aversion, for Ifelt that she had deserted to the enemy and turned her back upon theman who loved her, in the hour of his utmost need. 

As I saw it, her conduct was little short of heartless. She hadsummoned her lover to her side, and he had come; instantly and withouthesitation, without pausing to consider the danger to himself, he hadanswered her call; in consequence of that high devotion, he was now inprison, charged with a dreadful crime; but, instead of hastening tohim, instead of standing by his side and proclaiming to the wholeworld her belief in his innocence, she deliberately stood aloof. Itwas almost as if she herself believed in his guilt! The world, atleast, could draw no other inference. 

But she had done more than that. She had abandoned herself to thefate from which he had tried to save her. Her presence at Silva's sidecould have only one meaning--she had become his disciple, had acceptedhis faith, was ready to follow him. The thought turned me sick atheart, for her as well as for Swain, but for Swain most of all, for hehad done nothing to merit such misfortune, while she, at least, hadchosen her road and was following it with open eyes. Small wonder thatI thought of her with anger and resentment, yes, and with a vaguedistrust, for, at the very back of my mind was the suspicion that shehad been a decoy to lure Swain to his destruction. 

I threw myself feverishly into the work which had accumulated at theoffice, in order to tear my mind away from thoughts like these; butwhen Mr. Royce arrived, I had to go over the case with him, and I haveseldom seen a man more puzzled or astonished. 

"I shall defend Swain, of course, " I concluded, "and I'm hoping thatsomething in his favour will turn up before long, but I haven't theremotest idea what it will be. He can't be tried till fall, andmeanwhile I'm afraid he'll have to stay in jail. "

"Yes; I see no way of getting him out, " agreed my partner. "But thegirl's danger is much more serious. Can't we do something for her?"

"It's difficult to do anything against her will, " I pointed out. "Besides, I've lost interest in her a little. "

"Don't blame her too much--we must do everything we can. Since sheisn't of age, she'll have to have a guardian appointed. He might dosomething. "

"I had thought of that; I'll suggest to her to-night that she let mearrange for a guardian. But if we wait for a court to take action, I'mafraid we'll be too late. Swain seems to think that the danger is verypressing. "

"At least we can make one more effort, " said Mr. Royce. "I'll have mywife drive out to see her this afternoon. Perhaps she can dosomething, " and he went to the 'phone to make the arrangements. 

I turned back to my work, but found myself unable to take it up, formy conscience told me that I ought to see Swain, make sure that he wascomfortable, and do what I could to relieve his anxiety. It was not apleasant task, for I should have to admit my failure, but at last Iput my work aside, made my way reluctantly to the Tombs, and asked tosee him. 

They had given him a well-lighted cell on the upper tier, and some ofhis own things had been brought in to soften its bareness, but myfirst glance at Swain told me that he was in a bad way. 

"Is she all right?" was his first question, and his eyes seemed toburn into me. 

"Yes, " I answered a little testily, "she's all right--that is, if youmean Miss Vaughan. For heaven's sake, Swain, be a little sensible. What's the use of working yourself up into a state like this! Did yousleep any last night?"

"No, " said Swain, after thinking a minute. "No, I believe not. "

"How about breakfast?"

"I don't seem to remember about breakfast, " he answered, after anothermoment's thought. 

I stepped to the door, called the guard, and, putting a bill into hishand, asked him to send up the prison barber and to have a good mealsent in in the course of half an hour. When the barber arrived, I hadhim take Swain in hand, give him a shave and shampoo and generalfreshening up. Then I saw that he got into clean things; and then thebreakfast arrived, and I made him sit down and eat. He obeyedpassively, and I could see the food did him good. When he had finishedhis coffee, I handed him a cigar. 

"Now, Swain, " I began, sitting down opposite him, "I'm going to talkto you seriously. In the first place, Miss Vaughan is in no danger. Simmonds had two men in the grounds watching the house all last night, ready to interfere at the least sign of anything wrong. That watchwill be kept up as long as Miss Vaughan remains there. "

"That's good, " he said. "I didn't know that. But just the same, shemustn't remain there. Even with the men on guard, you may be too late. "

"Just what is it you're afraid of?" I asked him, curiously. "Do youthink her life's in danger?"

"Worse than that!" said Swain thickly, his face suddenly livid. "Oh, worse than that!"

I confess that I caught something of his horror; but I shook myselfimpatiently. 

"I can't believe that, " I said. "But, in any case, our men will be athand. At the least outcry they will burst into the house. Andremember, the three servants are there. "

"They cut no figure. If they didn't hear those screams the othernight, do you think they would hear any others? You must get her awayfrom there, Mr. Lester, " he went on rapidly. "If she won't come of herown accord, you must use force. "

"But, my dear Swain, " I objected, "I can't do that. Do you want me tokidnap her?"

"Just that--if it's necessary. "

"Then I'd soon be occupying a cell here, too. I don't see what goodthat would do. "

"It would save her, " he asserted, doggedly. "It would save her. That'sthe only thing to consider. "

But I rose to my feet in sudden impatience; what consideration was sheshowing for him or for me or for anyone?

"You're talking foolishly, " I said. "You'd much better be thinking ofyour own danger; it's much more real than hers. " I had an impulse toadd that, since she had chosen her path, it was folly to waste pityupon her, but I managed to check the words. "Has any new light on thecase occurred to you?"

"No, " he answered, listlessly, "I haven't thought about it. When doyou see her again, Mr. Lester?"

"I'm to see her to-night. "

"Will you give her a note from me?"

"Yes, " I agreed. 

His face lighted again at that, and he cleared a corner of his tableand sat down to write the note. It was evidently difficult to compose, for he tore up two drafts before he got one to suit him. But at lastit was done, and he folded it, rummaged an envelope out of a pile ofpapers on a chair, slipped the note into it, and handed it to me. 

"There, " he said, and his face was bright with hope. "I think thatwill settle it. "

I was far from sharing his certainty, but I put the envelope in mypocket, assured myself that there was nothing more I could do for him, and returned to the office. Just as I was getting ready to leave, Mr. Royce came in, a chagrined look on his face. 

"Mrs. Royce just telephoned me, " he said. "She drove out there, as Iasked her to, but Miss Vaughan refused to see her. "

I had expected it, but the certainty that we had failed again did notadd to my cheerfulness. 

"Swain wants us to kidnap her, " I said, with a twisted smile. 

"I'm not sure but that he's right, " said my partner, and wentthoughtfully away. 

I went to my rooms, changed, had dinner at a quiet restaurant, andthen took the elevated for the long trip to the Bronx. It was aftereight o'clock when I pulled the bell beside the tall gates toElmhurst. The gardener was evidently expecting me, for he appearedalmost at once and admitted me. Without waiting for him, I walked upthe drive toward the house. The lights were on in the library, and Istepped up to the open door. 

Then I stopped, and my heart fell. For there were two white-robedfigures in the room. One was Miss Vaughan and the other was FranciscoSilva. The girl was sitting at his feet. 

They had evidently heard my footsteps, for they were looking towardthe door, and Miss Vaughan arose as soon as I came within the circleof light. But if I expected her to show any embarrassment, I wasdisappointed. 

"Come in, Mr. Lester, " she said. "I believe you have not met Señor Silva. "

The yogi had risen, and now he bowed to me. 

"Our encounters heretofore have been purely formal, " he said, smiling. "I am happy to meet you, Mr. Lester. "

His manner was friendly and unaffected, and imperceptibly some of mydistrust of him slipped away. 

"I have told Señor Silva, " Miss Vaughan continued, when we wereseated, "that you have consented to act as my man of business. "

"And it is my intention, " broke in Silva, "to beseech Mr. Lester toconsent to act as my man of business also. I am sure that I shall needone. "

I was not at all sure of it, for he seemed capable of dealing withany situation. 

"It would not be possible for me to represent divergent interests, " Ipointed out. 

"My dear sir, " protested the yogi, "there will be no divergentinterests. Suppose we put it in this way: you will represent MissVaughan, and will dispose of my interests from that standpoint. Therecould be no objection to that, I suppose?"

"No, " I answered, slowly; "but before we go into that, let meunderstand exactly what these interests are. Mr. Vaughan's estate Iunderstand, is a large one. "

Silva shrugged his shoulders. 

"I have understood so, " he said, "but I know nothing about it, beyondwhat Mr. Vaughan himself told me. "

"What was that?"

"That it was his intention to give this place as a monastery for thestudy of our religion, and to endow it. "

"Did he mention the amount of the endowment?"

"He asked me, not long ago, if a million dollars would be sufficient. "

"Had he drawn up a deed of gift?"

"I do not know. "

"Or made a will?"

Again Silva shrugged indifferently to indicate that he was alsoignorant on that point, and I turned to Miss Vaughan. 

"If there is a will, " I asked, "where would it probably be?"

"There is a safe here, " she said, "in which my father kept his papersof value, " and she went to the wall and swung out a hinged section ofshelving. The door of a safe appeared behind it. 

I approached and looked at it, then tried the door, but it was locked. 

"To open this, we must know the combination, " I said; "or else weshall have to get an expert. "

"I know the combination, " she broke in; "it is . . . "

But I stopped her. 

"My dear Miss Vaughan, " I laughed, "one doesn't go around proclaimingthe combination of a safe. How do you happen to know it?"

"My father often had me open the safe for him. "

"Does anyone else know it?"

"I do not think so. "

"Well, suppose we see what is in the safe, " I suggested, and, as sheknelt before it, turned away. I, at least, did not wish to know thecombination. That Silva already knew it I accepted as certain. 

I heard the twirling of the knob, and a sharp click as the bolts werethrown back. Then I walked to Miss Vaughan's side and knelt besideher. The interior of the safe was divided into the usual compartments, one of them equipped with a Yale lock. The key was in the lock, and Iturned it, swung the little door open, and drew out the drawer whichlay behind it. 

"If there is a will, it is probably here, " I said; "let us see, " and Icarried the drawer over to the light. 

Miss Vaughan followed me, but Silva had sunk back into his chair, andwas staring abstractedly through the open door out into the darkness, as though our proceedings interested him not at all. Then, as I lookedinto the drawer, I gave a little gasp of astonishment, for it wasalmost filled with packets of bills. There were five of them, neatlysealed in wrappers of the National City Bank, and each endorsed tocontain ten thousand dollars. 

"Why did your father require all this money?" I asked, but MissVaughan shook her head. 

"He always kept money there, " she said, "though I never knew theamount. "

[Illustration: "Oh, Master, receive me!"]

I glanced at the yogi, but his revery remained unbroken. Then I laidthe packets on the table and dipped deeper into the drawer. There weretwo bank-books, some memoranda of securities, a small cash-book, and, at the very bottom, an unsealed envelope endorsed, "Last will andtestament of Worthington Vaughan. "

"Here we are, " I said, took it out, and replaced the rest of thecontents. "Shall we read it now?"

"Yes, I should like to read it, " she answered quietly. 

The document was a short one. It had evidently been drawn by Vaughanhimself, for it was written simply and without legal phrases. It hadbeen witnessed by Henry and Katherine Schneider, and was dated only aweek previously--but three days before the murder. 

"Who are these witnesses?" I asked. 

"They are the cook and the gardener. "

"Do you recognise your father's writing?"

"Oh, yes; there can be no question as to that. "

It was a peculiar writing, and a very characteristic one; not easy toread until one grew accustomed to it. But at the end of a few minutesI had mastered it. The provisions of the will were simple: Elmhurstand the sum of one million dollars in negotiable securities were leftabsolutely to "my dear and revered Master, Francisco Silva, Priest ofthe Third Circle of Siva, and Yogi of the Ninth Degree, to whom I owemy soul's salvation, " the bequest to be used for the purpose offounding a monastery for the study of the doctrines of Saivaism, andas an asylum for all true believers. The remainder of his estate wasleft absolutely to his daughter, to dispose of as she saw fit. "It is, however, my earnest wish", the will concluded, "that my daughterMarjorie should enter upon the Way, and accept the high destiny whichthe Master offers her as a Priestess of our Great Lord. May theAll-Seeing One guide her steps aright!"

There was a moment's silence as I finished; then I glanced at MissVaughan. Her eyes were fixed; her face was rapt and shining. 

She felt my gaze upon her, and turned to face me. 

"As your attorney, Miss Vaughan, " I said, "it is my duty to advise youthat this will would probably not hold in law. I think it would becomparatively easy to convince any court that your father was not ofsound mind when he drew it. You see, Señor Silva, " I added, "thatthere is at once a conflict of interests. "

But Silva shook his head with a little smile. 

"There is no conflict, " he said. "If Miss Vaughan does not approve herfather's wishes, they are as though they were not!"

"I do approve them" the girl cried passionately, her hands againsther heart. "I do approve them!"

"All of them?" I asked. 

She swung full upon me, her eyes aflame. 

"Yes, all of them!" she cried. "Oh, Master, receive me!" and she flungherself on her knees by Silva's chair. 

CHAPTER XXI

THE VISION IN THE CRYSTAL

Silva laid a hand tenderly upon the bowed head, as though inbenediction, but I could have sworn there was unholy triumph in hiseyes. I caught but a glimpse of it, for he veiled them instantly andbowed his head, and his lips moved as if in prayer. The kneelingfigure was quivering with sobs; I could hear them in her throat; andmy heart turned sick as I saw how she permitted his caressing touch. Then, suddenly, she sprang, erect, and, without a glance at me, hurried from the room. 

There was silence for a moment, then Silva arose and faced me. 

"You see how it is, Mr. Lester, " he said. 

"Yes, " I answered drily, "I see how it is. "

I refolded the will, slipped it back into its envelope, restored it tothe drawer, made sure that all the packets were there, too, replacedthe drawer in the safe, closed the door, twirled the knob, swung theshelves into place in front of it, and finally, my self-controlpartially regained, turned back to Silva. 

"Well, " I said, and my voice sounded very flat, "let us sit down andtalk it over. "

He wheeled his chair around to face me and sat down. I looked at himin silence for a moment. The man was virile, dominant; there was inhis aspect something impressive and compelling. Small wonder thischild of nineteen had found herself unable to stand against him!

"I know what is in your mind, " he said, at last. "But, after all, itwas her father's wish. That should weigh with you. "

"Her father was mad. "

"I deny it. He was very sane. He found the Way, and he has set herfeet upon it. "

"What way?" I demanded. "Where does it lead?"

"The Way of life. It leads to peace and happiness. "

He uttered the words as with finality; but I shrugged them impatientlyaway. 

"Don't float off into your mysticism, " I said. "Let us keep our feeton the earth. You may be sincere, or you may not--it is impossible forme to say. But I know this--it is not fair to that child to take herat her word. She doesn't realise what she is doing. I don't know whatit is you plan for her, but before you do anything, she must have achance to find herself. She must be taken out of this atmosphere intoa healthier one, until she has rallied from the shock of her father'sdeath, and emerged from the shadow of his influence. She must havetime to get back her self-control. Then, if she chooses to return, well and good. "

"To all your 'musts, ' Mr. Lester, " retorted Silva, "I can only saythat I am willing. I have not lifted a finger to detain her. But whatif she will not go?"

"Then she must be made to go. "

"Another 'must'!" he rejoined lightly. "I would remind you that she ismistress of her own actions. Neither you nor I can compel her to doanything she does not wish to do. It has been a great happiness to methat she has chosen as she has; it would have been a great sorrow tome had she decided differently. But I should have acquiesced. Now itis for you to acquiesce. After all, what claim have you upon her?"

"I admit that I have no claim, " I said, more calmly. "But there is onewho has a claim, and to whom she is bound to listen. "

"You refer, no doubt, to that misguided young man who is now in prison. "

"I refer to Frederic Swain, yes, " I retorted hotly. "It is true he isin prison. And how did he get there? By coming when she called him; bytrying to assist her. "

"Was it assisting her to kill her father?" queried Silva, and hislips were curled with scorn. 

I paused a moment to make sure of my self-control, for it seemed to beslipping from me. 

"Señor Silva, " I said, at last, "how her father came to his death I donot know; but I do know that Swain had no hand in it. "

"Yet he is in prison, " he reminded me. 

"Innocent men have been in prison before this. I will get him out. "

"By what means?"

"By finding the real murderer!" I said, and looked at him with eyeswhich I know were bloodshot. 

He returned my gaze steadily. 

"So you think I am the murderer?" he asked, quietly. 

I got a grip of myself--I saw that I had gone too far. 

"I do not know what to think, " I answered. "I am seeking light. In anyevent, Swain merits some consideration. Miss Vaughan should, at least, listen to what he has to say. She promised to marry him. "

"She has withdrawn that promise. "

"She has never said so. "

"She has withdrawn it in choosing as she has chosen. They who serve inthe temple of Siva turn their backs on marriage. "

I put the words away from me with a gesture. 

"That means nothing to me, " I said. "I know nothing of the temple ofSiva. I wish to know nothing, for mysticism repels me. But I do knowthat she gave her word; I do know that she loved him. "

"Earthly love fades and passes, " said the yogi, solemnly. "She hasgiven her heart to the Master, " and he made his gesture of reverence. 

There was anger in my eyes as I looked at him. How was one to reply tosuch jargon?

"I would point out to you, Señor Silva, " I said, "that Miss Vaughan isnot yet of legal age, and so not quite her own mistress. "

"Does your law interfere in matters of the heart?" he inquiredblandly; "or in matters of religion?"

"No, " I said, flushing at his irony; "but the law demands that, untilshe is of age, she have a guardian to protect her interests. I shallask that one be appointed at once. "

"To that, " said the yogi, mildly, "I have not the least objection. Infact, Mr. Lester, I do not know why you should tell me your plans. But, for some reason, you seem to regard me as an adversary. I amnot--I am no man's adversary. I object to nothing; I have no right toobject to anything. I am simply Miss Vaughan's friend andwell-wisher, and seek her happiness. I should like to be your friendalso. "

"And Swain's?" I queried, a little brutally. 

"The friend of all men, " said the yogi, simply. "They are all mybrothers. We are children of the same Great Spirit. "

I was silent for a moment. Then I took Swain's letter from my pocket. 

"If you are sincere, " I said, "you can easily prove it. I have aletter here from Swain. He gave it to me to-day, and I promised togive it to Miss Vaughan to-night. "

Without a word, he crossed to the bell and rang it. The maid answered. 

"Mr. Lester has a letter which you will give to your mistress, " he said. 

"And you will wait for an answer, " I added. 

The girl took the letter and went away. Silva sat down again, and whenI glanced at him, I saw that his eyes were closed. Five minutespassed, and the girl appeared again at the door. 

"Miss Vaughan says there is no answer, sir, " she said, and let thecurtain fall into place again. 

I made a gesture of despair; I felt that the game was lost. 

"After all, Mr. Lester, " said Silva, kindly, "what is this fate thatyou would prepare for her? You seek her marriage with a young man who, when I saw him, appeared to me merely commonplace. Admitting for themoment that he is innocent of this crime, you would neverthelesscondemn her to an existence flat and savourless, differing in noessential from that of the beasts of the field. "

"It is the existence of all normal people, " I pointed out, "and theone which they are happiest in. "

"But Miss Vaughan would not be happy. She has too great a soul; thatyoung man is not worthy of her. You yourself have felt it!"

I could not deny it. 

"Few men are worthy of a good woman, " I said lamely. 

"Faugh! Good woman!" and he snapped his fingers. "I abhor the words!They are simply cant! But a great woman, a woman of insight, ofimagination--ah, for such a woman the Way that I prepare is the onlyWay. There she will find joy and inspiration; there she will grow inknowledge; there she will breathe the breath of life! Mr. Lester, " andhe leaned forward suddenly, "have you the courage to consult thesphere?"

"What do you mean?"

"You saw how I spent the White Night of Siva, " and he made his gestureof reverence. "Will you gaze for an hour on the crystal?"

"For what purpose?"

"I do not know what may be revealed to you, " he answered. "That is inthe keeping of the Holy One. Perhaps nothing; perhaps much. Will youmake the trial?"

His eyes were distended with excitement, his lips were trembling witheagerness. 

"I feel that it will not be in vain!" he added. 

There was something compelling in his gaze. After all, why not? Istruggled to my feet. 

With a strange smile, he held back the curtain, and I passed beforehim into the hall and up the stairs. As I hesitated at the top, heopened the door into the entry, and again my senses were assaulted bya heavy, numbing odour. In the middle of the room the crystal sphereglowed softly. 

"Take your place upon the couch, " he said; "sit thus, with your legscrossed, and your hands folded before you. But first, listen to me. There is in this no magic; this sphere is merely a shell of crystal, in which a small lamp burns. It serves only to concentrate the mind, to enable it to forget the world and to turn in upon itself. Thevisions which will come to you, if any come, will come from within andnot from without. They will be such visions as the Holy One may will;and by the Holy One I mean that Spirit which pervades the universe, even to its farthest bound; the Spirit which is in all of us alike;the Spirit which is in good men and in bad, men like you and me, andmen like the one who slew my pupil. It is with this Spirit, if theHoly One so wills, that you will commune, so that you will see nolonger with the poor eyes of the body, but with eyes from whichnothing is concealed, either in the past or in the future. Do youunderstand?"

"I think so, " I murmured, unable to take my eyes from the glowing circle. 

"Then to the Holy One I commend thee!" said the yogi, and sat down onthe couch opposite me. 

I felt that his eyes were upon me, but mine were upon the sphere, andin a moment I was no longer aware of him. I was aware only of theglowing circle, which seemed to widen and widen until the wholeuniverse revolved within it. The sun and the moon and the stars werethere, and I gazed at them as from a great distance. I saw stars glowand fade; I saw great nebulæ condense to points of light, anddisintegrate to dust; then, slowly, slowly, a single planet swung intoview, a million miles away, at first, but growing clearer and moreclear, until I was looking down upon its seas and continents; andsuddenly, as it turned before me, I recognised the earth. Europe, Asia, the broad Pacific swung below me; then land again--America! Isaw great mountains, broad plains, and mighty rivers. 

The motion ceased. I was gazing down upon a great city, built upon anarrow spur of land between two rivers, a city of towering buildingsand busy streets; then upon a single house, set in the midst of loftyelms; then I was in a room, a room with books against the walls, and adoor opening upon a garden. From the garden the light faded, and thedarkness came, and a clock somewhere struck twelve. Then, suddenly, atthe door appeared two white-robed figures, an old man and a girl. Theman was talking violently, but the girl crossed the room without abackward glance, and passed through a door on its farther side. Theman stood for a moment looking after her, then flung himself into achair, and put his hands before his face. 

With creeping flesh, I looked again at the outer door, waiting whowould enter. And slowly, slowly, the drapery was put aside, and a facepeered in. I could see its flashing eyes and working mouth. A hand, inwhich a knife gleamed, was raised cautiously to the cord, and when itwas lowered, it held a piece of the cord within its grasp. I could seethe eager fingers fashioning a knot; then, with head bent, the figurecrept forward, foot by foot; it was at the chair-back, and even asthe old man, conscious at last of the intruder, raised his head, thecord was cast about his throat and drawn tight. There was a moment'sstruggle, and I saw that the hand which held the cord was red withblood. From the wrist, a stained handkerchief fell softly to thefloor. 

And then the assassin turned to steal away; but as he went, he castone awful glance over his shoulder. The light fell full upon hisface--and I saw that it was Swain's!

 * * * * *

I opened my eyes to find myself extended full length on the divan, with Silva standing over me, a tiny glass of yellow liquid in hishand. 

"Drink this, " he said, and I swallowed it obediently. 

It had a pungent, unpleasant taste, but I could feel it runningthrough my veins, and it cleared my mind and steadied my nerves asthough by magic. I sat up and looked at the crystal. The other lightsin the room had been switched on, and the sphere lay cold andlifeless. I passed my hand before my eyes, and looked at it again;then my eyes sought Silva's. He was smiling softly. 

"The visions came, " he said. "Your eyes tell me that the visions came. Is it not so?"

"Yes, " I answered; "strange visions, Señor Silva. I wish I knew theirorigin. "

"Their origin is in the Universal Spirit, " he said, quietly. "Even yetyou do not believe. "

"No, " and I looked again at the crystal. "There are some things pastbelief. "

"Nothing is past belief, " he said, still more quietly, "You think sobecause your mind is wrapped in the conventions amid which you exist. Free it from those wrappings, and you will begin really to live. Youhave never known what life is. "

"How am I to free it, Señor Silva?" I questioned. 

He took a step nearer to me. 

"By becoming a disciple of the Holy One, " he said, most earnestly. 

But I was myself again, and I rose to my feet and shook my head, witha smile. 

"No, " I said. "You will get no convert here. I must be going. "

"I will open the gate for you, " he said, in another tone, and led theway down the stairs, through the library, and out upon the gravelled walk. 

After the drugged atmosphere of his room, the pure night air was likea refreshing bath, and I drew in long breaths of it. Silva walkedbeside me silently; he unlocked the gate with a key which he carriedin his hand, and pulled it open. 

"Good-night, Mr. Lester, " he said. "The sphere is at your serviceshould you desire again to test it. Think over what I have said to you. "

"Good-night, " I answered, and stepped through into the road. 

The gate swung shut and the key grated in the lock. Mechanically Iturned my steps toward Godfrey's house; but I seemed to be bendingunder a great burden--the burden of the vision. 

CHAPTER XXII

THE SUMMONS

I was confused and shaken; I had no idea of the hour; I did not knowwhether that vision had lasted a minute or a thousand years. But whenI blundered up the path to Godfrey's house, I found him and Simmondssitting on the porch together. 

"I had Godfrey bring me out, " said Simmonds, as he shook hands, "because I wanted another look at those midnight fireworks. Did youcome up on the elevated?"

"Yes, " I answered; and I felt Godfrey turn suddenly in his chair, atthe sound of my voice, and scrutinise my face. "I had dinner in townand came up afterwards. "

"What time was that?" asked Godfrey, quietly. 

"I got up here about eight o'clock. I had an engagement with MissVaughan. "

"You have been with her since?"

"With her and Silva, " and I dropped into a chair and mopped my facewith my handkerchief. "The experience was almost too much for me, " Iadded, and told them all that had occurred. 

They listened, Godfrey motionless and intent, and Simmonds with amurmur of astonishment now and then. 

"I'm bound to confess, " I concluded, "that my respect for Silva hasincreased immensely. He's impressive; he's consistent; I almostbelieve he's sincere. "

"Have you considered what that belief implies?" asked Godfrey. 

"What does it imply?"

"If Silva is sincere, " said Godfrey, slowly; "if he is really what hepretends to be, a mystic, a priest of Siva, intent only on makingconverts to what he believes to be the true religion, then our wholetheory falls to the ground; and Swain is guilty of murder. "

I shivered a little, but I saw that Godfrey was right. 

"We are in this dilemma, " Godfrey continued, "either Silva is a fakirand charlatan, or Swain is a murderer. "

"I wish you could have witnessed that horrible scene, as I did, " Ibroke in; "it would have shaken your confidence, too! I wish you couldhave seen his face as he glanced back over his shoulder! It wasfiendish, Godfrey; positively fiendish! It made my blood run cold. Itmakes it run cold now, to remember it!"

"How do you explain all that crystal sphere business, anyway?" askedSimmonds, who had been chewing his cigar perplexedly. "It stumps me. "

"Lester was hypnotised and saw what Silva willed him to see, " answeredGodfrey. "You'll remember he sat facing him. "

"But, " I objected, "no one remembers what happens during hypnosis. "

"They do if they are willed to remember. Silva willed you to remember. It was cleverly done, and his explanation of the origin of the visionwas clever, too. Moreover, it had some truth in it, for the secret ofcrystal-gazing is that it awakens the subjective consciousness, orGreat Spirit, as Silva called it. But you weren't crystal-gazing, to-night, Lester--you were simply hypnotised. "

"You may be right, " I admitted; "I remember how his eyes stared at me. But it was wonderful--I'm more impressed with him than ever. "

"It isn't the fact that he hypnotised you that bothers me, " saidGodfrey, after a moment. "It's the fact that he has also hypnotisedMiss Vaughan. "

The words startled me. 

"You think that's the reason of her behaviour?" I asked, quickly. 

"What other reason can there be?" Godfrey demanded. "Here we have agirl who thinks herself in danger and summons to her aid the man wholoves her and whom, presumably, she loves. And two days later, when hehas been imprisoned for a crime of which she declares it is absurd tosuspect him, instead of hastening to him or trying to carry out hiswishes, she turns her back on him and deliberately walks into thedanger from which, up to that moment, she had shrunk with loathing. Contrast her behaviour of Saturday, when she declared her faith inSwain and begged your assistance, with her behaviour of yesterday andto-day, when she throws you and Swain aside and announces that she isgoing to follow Silva--to become a priestess of Siva. Do you know whatthat means, Lester--to become a priestess of Siva?"

"No, " I answered, slowly; "I don't know. Silva said it was a greatdestiny; yes, and that it meant turning one's back on marriage. "

"That is right, " said Godfrey, in an indescribable tone, "there is nomarriage--there are only revolting, abominable, unspeakable rites andceremonies. I ran across Professor Sutro, the Orientalist, to-day, andhad a talk with him about it. He says the worship of Siva is merelythe worship of the reproductive principle, as it runs through allcreation, and that the details of this worship are inconceivablydisgusting. That is the sort of destiny Miss Vaughan has chosen. "

My hands were clammy with the horror of it. 

"We must save her!" I said, hoarsely. "Of course she doesn'tknow--doesn't suspect! We must get her away from Silva!"

"Undoubtedly we must do something, " Godfrey agreed. "I don't know howwe can get her away from Silva, but we might get Silva away from her. Couldn't you arrest him on suspicion and keep him locked up for two orthree days, Simmonds?"

"I might, " Simmonds grunted. 

"And while he's away, you can work with her, Lester; take Mrs. Royceto see her, give her a hint of what Saivaism really is--or get Mrs. Royce to. If that doesn't have any effect, we can try strongermeasures; but I believe, if we can get her away from Silva's influencefor a few days, she will be all right again. "

"I hope so, " I agreed, "but I'm not at all certain. She didn't behavelike a hypnotised person, Godfrey; she seemed to be acting of her ownfree will. I couldn't see that Silva was trying to influence her inany way. She said she was trying to carry out her father's wish. Andit certainly was his wish--the will proves that. If anybody ishypnotising her, I should say it was he. "

"Well, I can't arrest him, " said Simmonds, with a grin. 

"Her father's wishes may have had some weight with her at the outset, "admitted Godfrey, "but they couldn't have driven her to the length towhich she has gone. And about the will. If Vaughan had not beenkilled, if he had been found insane, the will would have been at onceinvalidated. Don't you get the glimmer of a motive for his murderthere, Lester?"

"It can be invalidated now, if Miss Vaughan contests it, " I pointed out. 

"Yes; but unless she _does_ contest it, it will stand. But if Vaughanhad been declared insane, the will could never have been probated--nocontest would have been necessary. Do you see the difference?"

"I see what you mean; but I don't think it amounts to much. Silvadeclares that if Miss Vaughan contests the will, he will not defendit. "

"But he knows perfectly well that she will not contest it. The surestway to prevent a contest is by adopting just such an attitude. Besides, if we don't save her, he'll get her share, too. Vaughan'sestate and Vaughan's daughter and everything else that was Vaughan'swill disappear into his maw. Oh, he's playing for a big stake, Lester, and it looks to me as though he were going to win it!"

It looked so to me, too, and I fell into gloomy thought. 

"You've got your men watching the house, I suppose?" I asked, at last, turning to Simmonds. 

"Yes; and we managed to score one little point to-day. "

"What was that?"

"I found out that Annie Crogan, the housemaid over there, had a cousinon the force, so I got him out here and he managed to have a talk withher. He didn't find out anything, " he added; "that is, anything wedon't know; but she promised to leave the door of her bedroom open atnight, and, if anything happened, to show a light at her window. "

"Splendid!" I said. "And of course she'll keep her eyes open in thedaytime. "

"Sure she will. She's a bright girl. The only thing I'm afraid of isthat the Hindu will get on to her and fire her. But she's been warnedto be mighty careful. If they don't suspect her, maybe she'll havesomething to tell us, in a day or two. "

"Perhaps she will, " I agreed; and I drew a breath of relief. Surelywith all these guardians, inside the house and out, Miss Vaughan wassafe. The least outcry would bring swift assistance. Besides, I couldnot bring myself to believe that Silva was such a brute as Godfreyseemed to think him. I had been attracted by him, not repelled, and Ihave always believed in the accuracy of these instinctive feelings. 

And Godfrey himself, I reflected, did not seem to be very clear in thematter. If Silva was merely a fakir and a charlatan, there was noreason why he should wish to induct Miss Vaughan into the mysteries ofa religion which he wore only as a cloak, to be dropped as soon as hisplans were accomplished. On the other hand, if he was sincere andreally wished to convert the girl, it was only reasonable to supposethat he was sincere in other things as well. 

"It reduces itself to this, " I said finally to Godfrey. "If Silva is acharlatan, there is no reason why he should hypnotise Miss Vaughan;but if he really wishes to make a priestess of her, then, by the sametoken, he is sincere and not a charlatan at all. "

Godfrey nodded. 

"There's a twist there which I can't seem to get straight, " headmitted. "We'll have to watch Silva a little longer to find out whathis game really is. Of course, it's just possible that he'd be gladto get rid of the girl, but that she really is obsessed by the idea ofcarrying out her father's wish. If that's the case, Silva is rather upa tree. "

"That's where _we'd_ better be getting, " broke in Simmonds, who hadtaken out his watch and held it up to the light. "It's nearly twelveo'clock, and I don't want to miss the fireworks. Besides, you fellowsdon't gain anything by all this jawing. You've been at it for an hour, and you're more tangled up now than when you started. My motto with acase of this kind is just to sit quiet and watch it; and pretty soonthe rat thinks the coast is clear, and pokes out his head, and you nabhim. "

"There's a good deal in that, " agreed Godfrey, with a little laugh. "Iadmit that our arguing doesn't seem to lead anywhere. Come along, " andhe led the way out among the trees. 

"Now take these fireworks, " went on Simmonds, in a low tone, when wewere sitting side by side on the limb. "I don't understand what theymean; but they must mean something. Am I laying awake nights worryingabout them? Not me! I'm just going to keep on watching till I find outwhat the meaning is. I know you're a great fellow for theory anddeduction, and all that sort of thing, Godfrey, and I know you'vepulled off some mighty clever stunts; but, after all, there's nothinglike patience. "

"Yes--'it's dogged as does it, '" agreed Godfrey. "Patience is a greatthing. I only wish I had more of it. "

"It would be a good thing, " assented Simmonds, candidly; and then wefell silent, gazing out into the darkness. 

"Surely, " said Godfrey, at last, "it must be twelve o'clock. "

Simmonds got out his watch and flashed upon it a ray from his electrictorch. 

"Yes, " he said, "it's four minutes after. "

I felt Godfrey's hand stiffen on my arm. 

"Then there's something wrong, " he whispered. "You remember, Lester, what happened the other time that light failed to appear. A man wasmurdered!"

The darkness into which I stared seemed suddenly to grow threateningand sinister, full of vague terrors. Even Simmonds grew uneasy, and Icould feel his arm twitching. 

Godfrey put his foot on the ladder, and began to descend. Simmonds andI followed him silently. 

"I'm going over the wall, " he said, when we were on the ground. "Something's wrong, and we've got to find out what it is. "

"How will we get down?" asked Simmonds. "There's no ladder there. "

Godfrey considered a moment. 

"We can stand on the top of the wall, " he said, at last, "and liftthis ladder over. It won't be easy, but it can be done. Go ahead, Lester, and be careful of the glass. "

I mounted the ladder, felt cautiously along the top of the wall andfound a place where I could put my feet; Simmonds followed me, andthen came Godfrey. His was the difficult part, to draw up the ladderand lower it again. As for me, it was all I could do to keep fromfalling. I felt absurdly as though I were standing on a tremuloustight-rope, high in the air; but Godfrey managed it somehow andstarted down. 

And at that instant, there shrilled through the night the high, piercing note of a police-whistle. It rose and fell, rose and fell, rose and fell; and then came poignant silence. The sound stabbedthrough me. Without hesitation or thought of peril, I let myself goand plunged downward into the darkness. 

CHAPTER XXIII

DEADLY PERIL

There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for Ilanded in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with noinjury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which atthe time I did not even feel. In a moment, I had found the path andwas speeding toward the house. Ahead of me flitted a dark shadow whichI knew to be Godfrey, and behind me came the pad-pad of heavy feet, which could only belong to Simmonds. And then, from the direction ofthe house, came the crash of broken glass. 

I reached the lawn, crossed it, and traversed the short avenue whichended at the library door. Three men were there, and Simmonds camepanting up an instant later. The detectives had their torches in theirhands, and I saw that they had broken one of the glass panels of thedoors, and that one of them had passed a hand through the opening andwas fumbling about inside. There was a sharp click, and the hand cameback. 

"There you are, " he said, threw the door open, and stood aside forhis superior officer to lead the way. 

"What's wrong?" Simmonds asked. 

"I don't know--but the girl showed a light at her window. "

"You heard nothing?"

"Not a sound. "

Simmonds hesitated. No doubt the same thought occurred to him as tome; for the lawyer-Tartarin in me suggested that we scarcely hadwarrant to break our way into a sleeping house in the middle of the night. 

But no such doubts seemed to disturb Godfrey. Without a word, hecaught the torch from Simmonds's hand, and passed through the doorway. Simmonds followed, I went next, and the two other men came last, theirtorches also flaring. Three beams of light flashed about the libraryand showed it to be empty. One of them--Godfrey's--lingered on thehigh-backed chair, but this time it had no occupant. 

Then Godfrey switched on the light, passed into the hall and switchedon the light there. The hall, too, was empty, and only the ticking ofa tall clock disturbed the silence. I was faltering and ready to turnback, but, to my amazement, Godfrey crossed the hall at a bound andsprang up the stair, three steps at a time. 

"Make all the noise you can!" he shouted over his shoulder, and theclatter of our feet seemed enough to wake the dead. 

The upper hall was also empty; and then my heart gave a sudden leap, for the circle of light from Godfrey's torch had come to rest upon awhite-robed figure, which had stolen half-way down the stair from theupper story. It was the maid, holding her night-dress about her; andher face was as white as her gown. 

Godfrey sprang to her side. 

"What is it?" he asked. "What is wrong?"

"I heard a cry, " gasped the girl. "Down here somewhere. And a scufflein the dark. A woman's cry. It was choked off short. "

Godfrey leaped down among us, and, as the light of a torch flashedacross it, I saw that his face was livid. 

"Who's got an extra gun?" he demanded, and one of the detectivespressed one into his hand. "Ready, now, men, " he added, crossed thehall, threw open the outer door into Silva's room, and flung back thedrapery beyond. 

My heart was in my throat as I peered over Godfrey's shoulder at whatlay within; and then a gasp of amazement from my companions mingledwith my own. 

For the crystal sphere was glowing softly, and seated cross-legged onthe divan, his hands folded, his eyes fixed in meditation, was Silva. 

We all stood for a moment staring at him, then Godfrey passed his handdazedly before his eyes. 

"You two men stay on guard here, " he said. "One of you keep your torchon this fellow, and the other keep his torch on the floor. There's acobra around somewhere. "

An arc of light swept shakingly across the floor, as one of the menturned his torch toward it. But I saw no sign of Toto. 

"Lester, you and Simmonds come with me, " Godfrey added, stepped backinto the hall, and tapped at the door of Miss Vaughan's bedroom. 

There was no response, and he tapped again. Then he tried the door, found it unlocked, and opened it. He sent a ray of light skimmingabout the room; then he found the switch, turned on the lights, andentered. 

The room was empty, as were the dressing-room and bath-room adjoining. The covers of the bed had been turned back, ready for its occupant, but the bed was undisturbed. 

Godfrey glanced about the room again, a sort of frenzied concentrationin his gaze, and then went out, leaving the lights burning. It tookbut a moment or two to look through the other suites. They were all empty. 

"If Miss Vaughan was anywhere about, and unharmed, " said Godfrey, "the noise we made would have brought her out to investigate. There'sonly one place she can be, " and he led the way resolutely back to thedoor of Silva's room. 

The yogi had not moved. 

Godfrey contemplated him for a moment, with his torch full on thebearded face. Then he crossed the threshold, his torch sweeping thefloor in front of him. 

"Let's see what the Thug is up to, " he said, crossed the room, drewback the drapery, and opened the door into the little closet where wehad seen Mahbub once before. 

There was a burst of acrid smoke into the room, and Godfrey steppedback with a stifled exclamation. 

"Come here, you fellows!" he cried, and Simmonds and I sprang to his side. 

For a moment I could see nothing; the rolling clouds of smoke blindedand choked me; I could feel the tears running down my cheeks and mythroat burned as though it had been scalded. 

Then the smoke lifted a little, and I caught a glimpse of what laywithin the room. 

In the middle of the floor stood an open brazier, with a thin yellowflame hovering above it, now bright, now dim, as the smoke whirledabout it. Before the brazier, sat Mahbub, his legs crossed with feetuppermost, his hands pressed palm to palm before his face. 

"But he'll suffocate!" I gasped, and, indeed, I did not see how anyhuman being could breathe in such an atmosphere. 

And then, as the smoke whirled aside again, I saw the snake. Its headwas waving slowly to and fro, its horrible hood distended, its yellow, lidless eyes fixed upon us. 

Simmonds saw it too, and retreated a step. 

"We'd better keep out of there, " he gasped, "till that little pet'sput away in his basket. "

But Godfrey seized his arm and dragged him back to the threshold ofthe door. 

"Look, Simmonds, " he cried, rubbing his dripping eyes fiercely, "thereagainst the wall?--is there something there--or is it just the smoke?"

I looked, too, but at first saw nothing, for a cloud of smoke rolleddown and blotted out the light from Godfrey's torch. Then it swirledaside, and against the farther wall I fancied I saw something--ashape, a huddled shape--grotesque--horrible, somehow. . . . 

I heard Godfrey's startled cry, saw his hand swing up, saw a tongue ofyellow flame leap from his revolver. 

And with the echo of the shot, came a scream--a scream piercing, unearthly, of terror unspeakable. . . . 

I saw the Thug spring into the air, his face distorted, his mouthopen--I saw him tearing at something that swung from hisneck--something horrible, that clung and twisted. . . . 

He tore the thing loose--it was only an instant, really, but it seemedan age--and, still shrieking, flung it full at us. 

I was paralysed with terror, incapable of movement, staringdumbly--but Godfrey swept me aside so sharply that I almost fell. 

And that foul shape swished past us, fell with a thud, and was lost inthe darkness. 

CHAPTER XXIV

KISMET!

Words cannot paint the nauseating horror of that moment. Fear--cold, abject, awful fear--ran through my veins like a drug; my face wasclammy with the sweat of utter terror; my hands clutched wildly atsome drapery, which tore from its fastenings and came down in mygrasp. . . . 

Three shafts of lights swept across the floor, and almost at oncepicked up that horrid shape. It was coiled with head raised, ready tostrike, and I saw that one side of its hood had been shot away. 

I have, more than once, referred to Simmonds as hard-headed andwanting in imagination--not always, I fear, in terms the mostrespectful. For that I ask his pardon; I shall not make that mistakeagain. For, in that nerve-racking moment, he never lost his coolness. Revolver in hand, he crept cautiously forward, while we others heldour breath; then the pistol spoke, one, twice, thrice, and the uglyhead fell forward to the floor. 

At the same moment, Godfrey sprang to the door from which volumes ofheavy, scented smoke still eddied, and disappeared inside. 

I scarcely noticed him; I was staring at that foul object on thefloor; and then I stared at Francisco Silva, motionless on the divan, his eyes fixed on the crystal sphere, undisturbed amid all this terrorand tumult. It is impossible for me to remember him, as he was in thatmoment, without admiration--yes, and a little awe. 

But Godfrey's voice, shrill with excitement, brought me around with astart. 

"Lester!" he shouted. "Lend a hand here!"

Wondering what new horror lay in wait, I fought my way into the otherroom, stumbled over the body of the Thug, barely saved myself, myscalp prickling with terror, from falling upon it, and pitched forwardto where Godfrey was bending above that huddled shape I had glimpsedthrough the smoke. 

"Catch hold!" he panted; and choking, staggering, suffocating, wedragged it into the outer room. "Get a window open!" he gasped. "Get awindow open!"

And Simmonds, whom nothing seemed to shake, groped along the walluntil he found a window, pulled the hangings back, threw up the sash, and flung back the shutters. 

"Quick!" said Godfrey. "Over there. Now hold the torch. "

And as I took it and pressed the button with a trembling finger, thehalo of light fell upon a bloodless face--the face of Marjorie Vaughan. 

Simmonds was supporting her, and Godfrey, with frantic fingers, wasloosening her robe at the throat. My terrified eyes, staring at thatthroat, half-expected to find a cruel mark there, but its smoothnesswas unsullied. The robe loosened, Godfrey snatched his cap from hishead and began to fan the fresh air in upon her. 

"Pray heaven it is not too late!" he murmured, and kept on fanning, watching the white lips and delicate nostrils, so drawn and livid. "Wemust try artificial respiration, " he said, after a moment. "But nothere--this atmosphere is stifling. Take her feet, Lester. "

We staggered out with her, somehow, across the hall, into her room, and laid her on her bed. Godfrey, kneeling above her, began to raiseand lower her arms, with a steady, regular rhythm. 

"Open the windows wide, " he commanded, without looking up. "Wet atowel, or something, in cold water, and bring it here. "

Simmonds threw open the windows, while I went mechanically to thebath-room, wet a towel, and slapped it against her face and neck asGodfrey directed. The moments passed, and at last the lips opened in afluttering sigh, the bosom rose with a full inhalation, and a spot ofcolour crept into either cheek. 

"Thank God!" said Godfrey, in a voice that was almost a sob. "Now, Simmonds, go out and bring that Irish girl, and send one of your mento 'phone for Hinman. "

Simmonds sent one of his men scurrying with a word, and himself dashedup the stairs to the other floor. He was back in a moment, almostdragging the frightened girl with him. Her teeth were chattering andshe started to scream when she saw that still form on the bed, butSimmonds shook her savagely. 

"There's nothing to be afraid of, " Godfrey assured her. "Your mistressisn't dead--she'll soon come around. But you must get her undressedand to bed. And then keep bathing her face with cold water till thedoctor comes. Understand?"

"Ye--yes, sir, " faltered the girl. "But--oh!" and a burst ofhysterical sobbing choked her. 

Simmonds shook her again. 

"Don't be a fool, Annie Crogan!" he said. "Get hold of yourself!"

Godfrey stepped off the bed and picked up one of the limp wrists. 

"Her pulse is getting stronger, " he said, after a moment. "It willsoon--hello, what's this!"

Clasped tight in the slender fingers was something that looked like atorn and crumpled rubber glove. He tried to unclasp the fingers, butwhen he touched them, they contracted rigidly, and a low moan burstfrom the unconscious girl. So, after a moment, he desisted and laidthe hand down again. 

"You understand what you're to do?" he asked the maid, and she noddedmutely. "Then come along, boys, " he added, and led the way back to thehall. His face was dripping with perspiration and his hands wereshaking, but he managed to control them. "And now for Señor Silva, " hesaid, in another tone, taking the torch from my hand. "I fear he willhave a rude awakening. "

"He sat there like a statue, even when I shot the snake, " remarkedSimmonds. "He's a wonder, he is. "

"Yes, " agreed Godfrey, as he stepped into the entry, "he's a wonder. "Then he stopped, glanced around, and turned a stern face on Simmonds. "Where's the man I left on guard here?" he asked. 

"Why, " faltered Simmonds, "I remember now--he helped us carry theyoung lady. But we were all right there in the hall--you don'tmean . . . "

Godfrey stepped to the inner door and flashed his torch about theroom. The divan was empty. 

Simmonds paused only for a single glance. 

"He can't be far away!" he said. "He can't get away in that white robeof his. Come along, Tom!" and, followed by his assistant, he plungeddown the stairs. 

I saw Godfrey half-turn to follow; then he stopped, ran his hand alongthe wall inside the door, found the button, and turned on the lights. His face was pale and angry. 

"It's my fault as much as anyone's, " he said savagely. "I might haveknown Silva would see the game was up, and try to slip away in theexcitement. I ought to have kept an eye on him. "

"Your eyes were fairly busy as it was, " I remarked. "Besides, maybe hehasn't got away. "

Godfrey's face, as he glanced about the room, showed that he cherishedno such hope. 

"Let's see what happened to Mahbub, " he said. "Maybe he got away, too, " and he crossed to the inner door. 

The flame in the brazier had died away, and the smoke came only infitful puffs, heavy with deadening perfume. The Thug had not got away. He lay on the floor--a dreadful sight. He was lying on his back, hishands clenched, his body arched in a convulsion, his head drawn farback. The black lips were parted over the ugly teeth, and the eyeshad rolled upward till they gleamed, two vacant balls of white. At theside of his neck, just under the jaw, was a hideous swelling. 

Godfrey's torch ran over the body from head to foot, and I sickened asI looked at it. 

"I'm going out, " I said. "I can't stand this!" and I hurried to theopen window. 

Godfrey joined me there in a moment. 

"I'm feeling pretty bad myself, " he said, putting the torch in hispocket and mopping his shining forehead. "It's plain enough whathappened. I caught a glimpse of Miss Vaughan on the floor there, realised that we couldn't do anything with the snake in the way, andshot at it, but I only ripped away a portion of the hood, and thething, mad with rage, sprang upon the Hindu. Nothing on earth couldhave saved him after it got its fangs in his neck. Ugh!"

He shivered slightly, and stood gazing for a moment down into thegarden. Then he turned back to me with a smile. 

"It's a good night's work, Lester, " he said, "even if we don't catchSilva. I fancy Miss Vaughan will change her mind, now, about becominga priestess of Siva!"

"But, Godfrey, " I asked, "what happened? What was she doing in there?What . . . "

He stopped me with a hand upon my arm. 

"I don't know. But she'll tell us when she comes around. I only hopethey'll get Silva. That would make the victory complete. "

He paused, for the hum of a motor-car came up the drive, and aninstant later we caught the glare of the acetylenes. Then a voicehailed us. 

"Hello, there, " it called. "Shall I come up?"

"Is it you, doctor?" asked Godfrey, leaning out. 

"Yes. "

"Come right up, then, to Miss Vaughan's room. "

We met him at the stair-head. 

"Oh, it's you!" he said, recognising us. "What has happened now?"

"It's Miss Vaughan--she's been half-suffocated. But how did you getin?"

"The gates were open, " Hinman answered, "so I drove right through. IsMiss Vaughan in here?" and when Godfrey nodded, he opened the door andclosed it softly behind him. 

"Open!" repeated Godfrey, staring at me. "Open! Then that is the waySilva went!"

"Yes, yes, " I agreed. "He had the key. It was he who let me out. "

"And locked the gate after you?"

"Yes--I heard the key turn. "

Without a word, Godfrey hurried down the stairs. At the foot we metSimmonds. 

"We've searched the grounds, " he said, "but haven't found anyone. I'veleft my men on guard. I 'phoned for some more men, and notifiedheadquarters. "

"He's not in the grounds, " said Godfrey. "He went out by the gate, "and he told of Hinman's discovery. 

"I'll stretch a net over the whole Bronx, " said Simmonds. "I don't seehow a fellow dressed as he is can get away, " and he hastened off to dosome more telephoning. 

"Well, we can't do anything, " said Godfrey, "so we might as well restawhile, " and he passed into the library and dropped into a chair. 

I followed him, but as I sat down and glanced about the room I sawsomething that fairly jerked me to my feet. 

A section of the shelving had been swung forward, and behind it thedoor of the safe stood open. 

In an instant, I had flung myself on my knees before it, groped forthe locked drawer, pulled it out, and hurried with it to the table. 

The five packets of money were gone. 

"What is it, Lester?" asked Godfrey, at my side. 

"There was--fifty thousand dollars--in money in--this drawer, " Ianswered, trying to speak coherently. 

Godfrey took the drawer from my hands and examined its contents. 

"Well, it isn't there now, " he said, and replaced the drawer in thesafe. "Sit down, Lester, " and he pressed me back into my chair andflung himself into another. "I wish I knew where Vaughan kept hiswhiskey!" he murmured, and ran his fingers furiously through his hair. "This is getting too strenuous, even for me!"

He fell silent for a moment, and sat looking at the open safe. 

"What astonishes me, " he mused, "is the nerve of the man, stopping atsuch a moment to work that combination. Think what that means, Lester;to work a combination, a man has to be cool and collected. "

"A man who could sit without stirring through that scene upstairs, " Isaid, "has nerve enough for anything. Nothing Silva does can surpriseme after that!"

"I wonder how he knew the combination?"

"I was sure he knew it. I had to stop Miss Vaughan to keep her fromtelling it to me. "

"Well, he lessened his chance of escape by just that much. Everyminute he spent before that safe was a minute lost. Ah, here'sSimmonds. What do you think of that, Simmonds?" he added, and pointedto the safe. "Señor Silva stopped on his way out to gather up fiftythousand dollars in cash to pay his travelling expenses. "

Simmonds walked over to the safe and looked at it. 

"Fifty thousand?" he repeated. "But Vaughan must have been a fool tokeep that much money here. "

"Oh, I don't know. It's a fireproof safe, and mighty well concealed. "

"I'll tell you what I think, " I said; "I think he intended to give themoney to Silva. He was going to give him a million--left him that inhis will, you know. "

"So Silva was only taking what belonged to him, eh?" and Godfreylaughed. "Well, I hope you'll get him, Simmonds. "

It was at this moment that Dr. Hinman entered, a curious, repressedexcitement in his face, and his eyes shining strangely. 

"How is she, doctor?" Godfrey asked. 

"She'll be all right in the morning. She is still pretty nervous, so Igave her a sleeping-draught and waited till it took effect. "

Godfrey looked at him more closely. 

"Did she tell you anything?" he asked. 

"Not much, " said Hinman; "I wouldn't let her talk. But she told meenough to let me guess one thing--she's the bravest girl I ever knewor heard of!"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, " cried Hinman, his eyes glowing more and more, "that shestayed in this house and faced the deadliest peril out of love forthat man Swain; I mean that, if he's cleared, as he's certain to benow, it will be she who clears him; I mean that, if the real murdereris brought to justice, it will be because of the evidence she stayedhere to get, and did get!"

His voice had mounted shrilly, and his face was working as though hecould scarcely keep back the tears. 

"Wait a minute, doctor, " broke in Godfrey. "Don't go too fast. Whatevidence?"

For answer, Hinman flipped something through the air to him. Godfreycaught it, and stared at it an instant in bewilderment; then, with astifled exclamation, he sprang to the light and held the object closeunder it. 

"By all the gods!" he cried, in a voice as shrill as Hinman's own. "The finger-prints!"

CHAPTER XXV

THE BLOOD-STAINED GLOVE

I do not know what it was I expected to see, as I leaped from my chairand peered over Godfrey's shoulder; but certainly it was somethingmore impressive than the soiled and ragged object he held in his hand. It was, apparently, an ordinary rubber glove, such as surgeonssometimes use, and it was torn and crumpled, as though it had been thesubject of a struggle. 

Then I remembered that I had seen it crushed in Miss Vaughan'sunconscious fingers, and I recalled how the fingers had stiffened whenGodfrey tried to remove it, as though some instinct in her sought toguard it, even in the face of death. 

"But I don't understand, " said Simmonds, who was staring over theother shoulder. "What's that thing got to do with the finger-prints?"

"Look here, " said Godfrey, and held the glove so that the ends of thefingers lay in the full light. 

Then I saw that against the end of every finger had been glued a stripof rubber, about an inch in length and half as wide; and, bendingcloser, I perceived that the surface of each of these strips wascovered with an intricate pattern of minute lines. 

"Forged finger-prints! That's a new idea in crime, isn't it, Simmonds?" and Godfrey laughed excitedly. 

Simmonds took the glove, got out his pocket-glass, and examined thefinger-tips minutely. 

"You think these reproduce Swain's finger-prints?" he asked, sceptically. 

"I'm sure they do! You see it's the right hand; look at the thumb--yousee it's a double whorl. Wait till we put them side by side withSwain's own, and you'll see that they correspond, line for line. Yes, and look at those stains. Do you know what those stains are, Simmonds?They're blood. Did you notice the stains, doctor?"

"Yes, " said Hinman. "I think they're blood-stains. That will be easyenough to determine. "

"Whose blood is it?" asked Simmonds, and I could see that even hisarmour had been penetrated. 

"Well, " answered Godfrey, smiling, "science isn't able, as yet, toidentify the blood of individuals; but I'd be willing to give oddsthat it's Swain's blood. My idea is that Silva got the blood for thefinger-prints from the blood-soaked handkerchief, which Swain probablydropped when he fled from the arbour, and which Silva picked up anddropped beside the chair, after he was through with it, as anadditional bit of evidence. "

"That's reasonable enough, " agreed Hinman, with a quick nod, "but whatI can't understand is how he made these reproductions. "

Godfrey sat down again and contemplated the glove pensively for somemoments. Then he turned to me. 

"Where is that book of finger-prints you spoke about, Lester?" he asked. 

I went to the book-case and got it out. Godfrey took it and began toturn the pages quickly. 

"Swain's name is in the index, " I said, and he glanced at it, and thenturned to the place where the page had been. 

"Which reminds me, " said Hinman, with a rueful smile, "that Iconcocted a very pretty theory to account for that missing page. Ifelt quite chesty about it! I'm glad it didn't throw Miss Vaughan offthe scent!"

"So am I!" agreed Godfrey, "for it must have been this missing pagewhich gave Miss Vaughan her first suspicion of the truth. Perhaps itwas pure inspiration--or perhaps she knew that Silva could reproducefinger-prints. We shall learn when we hear her story. In any event, it's a clever trick--and easy enough when you know how!"

"Like standing the egg on end, " I suggested. 

"Precisely. Every trick is easy when you work it backwards. But justthink, Simmonds, " he added, "what problems the police will have toface, if gloves like these become fashionable among cracksmen!"

Simmonds groaned dismally. 

"You haven't told us yet how it's done, " he said. 

I bit back a smile, for Simmonds's tone was that of pupil to master. 

"Well, " said Godfrey, slowly, "it might be done in several ways. Thefirst thing is to get a good set of the prints to be reproduced. ThatSilva got from this album. The moulds might be made by cutting them inwood or metal; but that would take an expert--and besides, I fancy itwould be too slow for Silva. He had a quicker way than that--perhapsby transferring them to a plate of zinc or copper and then eating themout with acid. Once the mould is secured, it is merely a question ofpressing india-rubber-mixture into it and then heating the rubberuntil it hardens--just as a rubber-stamp is made. The whole processwould take only a few hours. "

Simmonds drew a deep breath. 

"It may be simple, " he said, "but that fellow's a genius, just thesame. He's much too clever to be at large. We've got to get him!"

"Be sure of one thing, " retorted Godfrey. "You'll find it harder tocatch him than it was to let him go! He won't walk into your arms. Notthat I blame you, Simmonds, " he added; "but I blame thosemuckle-headed men of yours--and I blame myself for not keeping my eyesopen. Here's the glove--take good care of it. It means Swain'sacquittal. And now there is one other thing I want to see before we goto bed. Suppose we make a little excursion to the roof. "

"To the roof? What for?" demanded Simmonds, as he wrapped the glove inhis handkerchief and put it in his pocket. 

"You know how fond you are of fire-works!" retorted Godfrey, smiling, and started for the door. 

"I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about, " said Hinman, "but I'm as curious as an old woman, --and I like fire-works, too!"

"Come along, then, " laughed Godfrey, and led the way up the stairs. "This time we'll go as quietly as we can!" he added, over hisshoulder. 

In the entry at the top of the stairs leading to the attic story was aheavy closed door, and Godfrey looked at it with a smile. 

"Do you suppose those two German servants have slept on through allthis excitement?" he asked; and we found afterwards that they had!

The flare of Godfrey's torch disclosed a third flight of stairs at theend of the entry, and, when we reached the foot of these and lookedup, we found ourselves gazing at the stars. 

"Ah!" said Godfrey; "I thought so! The stage was set, ready for thecurtain, and then the leading lady failed to appear. So the villainwent in search of her, found her with the glove in her hand, andstarted to suppress her, when our timely arrival interrupted him!Gentlemen, I think I can promise you a most interesting demonstration. What did Miss Vaughan call it, Lester?"

"An astral benediction, " I said. 

"That's it!" said Godfrey, and led the way up the steps. 

There was a wide, hinged trap-door at the top, lying open, and westepped through it out upon the roof. Here had been built a platformabout eight feet square, with a low railing around it. I saw Godfrey'storch playing rapidly over the boards of the platform, then hemarshalled us in the middle of it. 

"Stand here in a row, " he said, "facing the west. Extend your arms tothe heavens and concentrate your gaze upon that big star up yonder. Go ahead, doctor, " he urged, as Hinman hesitated. "We're trying topersuade an astral visitor to pay us a call, and it takes team-work. "

We stood silent a moment, with our arms above our heads, and I couldhear Godfrey shifting his feet cautiously along the boards of thefloor. 

"What's that!" cried Simmonds, for, from the darkness at our feet, hadcome a soft whirr as of a bird taking flight. 

"Look!" cried Hinman. "Look!"

High above our heads a point of flame appeared, brightened and burnedsteel-blue. For a moment it hung there, then it grew brighter andbrighter, and I knew that it was descending. Lower and lower it came, until it hovered in the air just above us; then it burst into amillion sparks and vanished. 

For a moment, no one spoke; then I heard Hinman's voice, and it wasdecidedly unsteady. 

"What is this, anyway?" he demanded. "The Arabian Nights?"

"No, " said Godfrey, and in his voice was the ring of triumph. "It'smerely a device of one of the cleverest fakirs who ever lived. Takethe torch, Simmonds, and let us see how it works. "

He dropped to his knees, while Simmonds lighted him, and I saw thatthere was a hole in the floor about three inches in diameter. Godfreyfelt carefully about it for a moment, and then, with a littleexclamation of triumph, found a hold for his fingers, pulled sharply, and raised a hinged section of the floor, about eighteen inches square. 

"Now give us the light, " he said, and plunged it into the opening. 

In line with the little hole was an upright metal tube about a footlong, ending in a small square box. Beside the tube, a slender ironrod ran from the platform down into the box. 

"That's the lever that sets it off, " remarked Godfrey, tapping therod. "A pressure of the foot did it. "

He pulled the rod loose, seized the tube, and lifted the wholeapparatus out upon the platform. 

"Let's take it down where we can look at it, " he said, and, carryingit easily in one hand, led the way back to the library, cleared aplace on the table and set it down. Then, after a moment'sexamination, he pulled back a little bolt and tilted the top of thebox, with the tube attached, to one side. 

A curious mechanism lay revealed. There was a powerful spring, whichcould be wound up with a key, and a drum wound with filament-like wireand connected with a simple clock-work to revolve it. Two smalldry-batteries were secured to one side of the box, their wires runningto the drum. 

"Why, it's nothing but a toy catapult!" I said. 

"That's all, " and Godfrey nodded. "It remained for Silva to add a fewtrimmings of his own and to put it to a unique use. Instead of amissile, he loaded it with his little aerial shell, attached to theend of this wire. Then he shot it off with a pressure of the foot;when it reached the end of the wire, the pull brought this platinumcoil against the battery wires and closed the circuit. The spark firedthe shell, and the drum began to revolve and pull it down. Thatexplains, Lester, why it descended so steadily and in a straight line. The fellow who could devise a thing like that deserves to succeed!Here's health to him!"

"He ought to be behind the bars, " growled Simmonds. "The cleverer heis, the more dangerous he is. "

"Well, " retorted Godfrey, "I admire him, anyway; and he isn't behindthe bars yet. No doubt you'll find some of his shells to-morrow aboutthe house somewhere, and you might amuse yourself by shooting one offevery night at midnight, on the chance that he sees it and comes backto see who's stealing his thunder!"

But this brilliant suggestion didn't seem to appeal to Simmonds, whomerely grunted and continued his examination of the catapult. 

"Silva had loaded it for to-night's performance, " Godfrey went on, "but, as I remarked before, the leading lady failed to answer her cue, and it remained for us to touch it off. There it is, Simmonds; I turnit over to you. It and the glove will make unique additions to themuseum at headquarters. And now, " he added, with the wide yawn ofsudden relaxation, "you fellows can make a night of it, if you wantto, but I'm going to bed. "

I glanced at my watch. It was half-past four. Another dawn wasbrightening along the east. 

Hinman ran upstairs, took a look at his patient, and came down to tellus that she was sleeping calmly. 

"She'll be all right in the morning, " he assured us; "and while Idon't want to butt in, I'd certainly like to hear her story. Adventures like this don't happen very often to a country doctor! MayI come?"

"Most surely!" I assented warmly. "I think we were very fortunate tohave had you in this case, doctor. "

"So do I!" echoed Godfrey, while Hinman flushed with pleasure. "Anddon't forget, Lester, that it was I who picked him out, with nothingbetter than the telephone-book to guide me! That was my infallibleinstinct!"

"Suppose we say ten o'clock, then?" I suggested, smiling at Godfrey'sexuberance--but then, I was feeling rather exuberant myself!

"I'll be here!" said Hinman. "And thank you, " and a moment later weheard his car chugging away down the drive. 

We listened to it for a moment, then Godfrey yawned again. 

"Come along, Lester, " he said, "or I'll go to sleep on my feet. Can Igive you a bed, Simmonds?"

"No, thanks, " said Simmonds. "I'm not ready for bed. I'm going to combthis whole neighbourhood, as soon as it's light. Silva can'tescape--unless he just fades away into the air. "

"You've found no trace of him?"

"I've had no reports yet, " and Simmonds walked beside us down thedrive to the gate; "but my men ought to be coming in pretty soon. There's a thick grove just across the road, where he may behiding. . . . "

He stopped, for a man was hastening toward us, carrying under one arma small white bundle. 

Simmonds quickened his pace. 

"What's that you've got?" he asked. 

The man saluted. 

"I found it just now, sir, in the bushes near the gate. Looks like adress. "

Simmonds unrolled it slowly. It was the robe of the White Priest of Siva. 

Godfrey looked at it and then at Simmonds, whose face was a study. Then he took me by the arm and led me away. 

"I'm afraid Simmonds has his work cut out for him, " he said, when wewere out of earshot. "I thought so from the first. A fellow as cleveras Silva would be certain to keep his line of retreat open. He's faraway by this time. "

He walked on thoughtfully, a little smile on his lips. 

"I'm not altogether sorry, " he continued. "It adds an interest to lifeto know that he's running around the world, and that we may encounterhim again some day. He's a remarkable fellow, Lester; one of the mostremarkable I ever met. He comes close to being a genius. I'd givesomething to hear the story of his life. "

That wish was destined to be gratified, for, three years later, weheard that story, or a part of it, from Silva's lips, as he lay calmlysmoking a cigarette, looking in the face of death, --and withoutflinching. Perhaps, some day, I shall tell that story. 

"But, Godfrey, " I said, as we turned in at his gate, "all this schemeof lies--the star, the murder, the finger-prints--what was it allabout? I can't see through it, even yet. "

"There are still a few dark places, " he agreed; "but the outlines arepretty clear, aren't they?"

"Not to me--it's all a jumble. "

"Suppose we wait till we hear Miss Vaughan's story, " he suggested. "After that, I think, we can reconstruct the whole plot. There's onefoundation-stone that's missing, " he added, thoughtfully. "I wonder ifMiss Vaughan uses a blotting-book? It all depends upon that!"

"A blotting-book?" I echoed. "But I don't see. . . . "

He shook himself out of his thoughts with a little laugh. 

"Not now, Lester. It's time we were in bed. Look, there's the sun!"and he led the way into the house. "I'll have you called at nine, " headded, as he bade me good-night at my door. 

CHAPTER XXVI

THE MYSTERY CLEARS

Godfrey's powers of recuperation have astonished me more than once, and never more so than when I found him at the breakfast-table, asfresh and rosy as though he had had a full night's sleep. But even Ifelt better by the time the meal was over. It is wonderful what a cupof coffee can do for a man!

"I 'phoned a message to Swain, as soon as I was up, " Godfrey said, "telling him, in your name, that we had the evidence to clear him, andthat Miss Vaughan was safe. "

"I must go down to him, " I said, "and start proceedings to set himfree. I'll get Simmonds to go with me before Goldberger, and thenbefore the magistrate. We ought to get an order of release at once. "

"You've got something to do before that, " Godfrey reminded me. "We'reto hear Miss Vaughan's story at ten o'clock. I'm taking it forgranted, " he added, with a smile, "that I'll be welcome, as well asHinman. "

"That doesn't need saying, " I retorted, and ten minutes later, wewere on the way to Elmhurst. 

There was a man on guard at the library door, but he allowed us topass when we gave our names, having evidently had his instructionsfrom Simmonds. In answer to Godfrey's question, he said that, so faras he knew, no trace had been found of Silva. 

We went on into the room, and found that some one, Simmondspresumably, had closed the safe and swung the section of shelving backinto place before it. It was not locked, however, and I opened it andwent through its contents carefully, with the faint hope that themoney might have been thrust into some other compartment. But I foundno trace of it, and was replacing the contents, when a voice at thethreshold brought me to my feet. 

"Mr. Lester!" it said, and I turned to behold a vision which made mecatch my breath--a vision of young womanhood, with smiling lips andradiant eyes--a vision which came quickly toward me, with handsoutstretched. 

"Miss Vaughan!" I cried, and took the hands and held them. 

"Can you forgive me?" she demanded. 

"For what?"

"For treating you so badly! Oh, I could see what you thought of me, and I longed to tell you it was only make-believe, but I didn't dare!I could see your grimace of disgust, when I fell on my knees besidethe chair yonder. . . . "

"Miss Vaughan, " I broke in, "whatever my sentiments may have been--andI was an idiot not to suspect the truth!--they have all changed intoenthusiastic admiration. You were wiser and braver than all of us. "

A wave of colour swept into her cheeks. 

"I might add, " I went on, "that I thought white robes becoming, butthey were not nearly so becoming as this gown!"

"It is of the last century!" she protested. "But anything is betterthan that masquerade! And when--when. . . . "

"I think I can get Swain free this afternoon, " I answered. "I'm goingto try, anyway. Mr. Godfrey 'phoned him the good news the first thingthis morning. This is Mr. Godfrey, Miss Vaughan, " I added, "and veryeager to shake hands with you. "

"Very proud, too, " said Godfrey, coming forward and suiting the actionto the word. 

There was a step on the walk outside, and Dr. Hinman appeared at the door. 

"Well!" he cried, coming in, his face beaming. "There's no need for meto ask how my patient's doing!"

"I'm afraid you haven't got any patient, any more, doctor, " I laughed. 

"I'm afraid not, " agreed Hinman. "I'll have to go back to my officeand wait for another one. But before I go, Miss Vaughan, I want tohear the story. Mr. Lester promised me I should. "

Miss Vaughan looked at me. 

"We all want to hear it, " I said; "how you came to suspect--how yougot the glove--everything. "

Her face grew sober, and a shadow flitted across it. 

"Suppose we sit down, " she said, and just then the sentry at the doorsaluted and Simmonds stepped into the room. 

I saw him shake his head in answer to Godfrey's questioning look andknew that Silva had not been found. Then I brought him forward to MissVaughan and introduced him. 

"Mr. Simmonds, " I explained, "has been in charge of this case; and itwas he who arranged to watch the house, for fear some harm wouldbefall you. . . . "

"I know, " broke in Miss Vaughan, clasping Simmonds's hand warmly. "Annie told me all about it this morning. I don't know how to thankyou, Mr. Simmonds. "

"Oh, it wasn't me, especially, " protested Simmonds, red to the ears. "It was really Godfrey there, and Mr. Lester. They were worried to death. "

"We _were_ rather worried, " Godfrey admitted; "especially after we sawyou at that midnight fireworks party. "

"You saw that?" she asked quickly; "but how. . . . "

"Oh, we had seen the show every night for a week. It was its failureto come off last night which first told us something was wrong. "

"Well, " said Miss Vaughan, with a deep breath, sitting down again andmotioning us to follow her example, "it seems to me that you have astory to tell, too! But I'll tell mine first. Where shall I begin?"

"Begin, " I suggested, "at the moment when you first suspected theplot. "

"That was when you were telling me of Fred's arrest. When you told meof the handkerchief and then of the finger-prints, I knew that someonewas plotting against him. And then, quite suddenly, I thought ofsomething. "

"You jumped up, " I said, "as though you were shot, and ran to thebook-case over there and got down that album of finger-prints, andfound that Swain's were missing. That seemed to upset you completely. "

"It did; and I will tell you why. My father, for many years, had beena collector of finger-prints. All of his friends were compelled tocontribute; and whenever he made a new acquaintance, he got hisprints, too, if he could. He believed that one's character wasrevealed in one's finger-prints, and he studied them very carefully. It was a sort of hobby; but it was, for some reason, distasteful toSeñor Silva. He not only refused to allow prints to be made of hisfingers, but he pooh-poohed my father's theories, and they used tohave some terrific arguments about it. One night, after a particularlyhot argument, Señor Silva made the assertion that he could, byhypnotic suggestion, cause his servant Mahbub to reproduce anyfinger-prints he desired. Mahbub's finger-tips had been manipulated insome way, when he was a child, so that they showed only a series ofstraight lines. "

"Yes, " I said, "his prints were taken at the inquest. "

"Father said that if Señor Silva could show him proof of thatassertion, he would never look at finger-prints again. Señor Silvaasked for a week in which to make a study of the prints, in order toimpress them upon his memory; at the end of that time, the test wasmade. It was a most extraordinary one. Señor Silva, father, and I satat the table yonder, under the light, with the book of prints beforeus. Mahbub was placed at a little table in the far corner, with hisback to us, and Señor Silva proceeded to hypnotise him. It took only amoment, for he could hypnotise Mahbub by pointing his finger at him. He said Mahbub was a splendid subject, because he had hypnotised himhundreds of times, and had him under perfect control. Then he placedan ink-pad on the table in front of him--nothing else. My father wrotehis name and the date upon the top sheet of a pad of paper, and SeñorSilva placed it before Mahbub. Then he sat down with us, selected apage of prints, and asked us to concentrate our minds upon it. At theend of a few moments, he asked me to bring the pad from before Mahbub. I did so, and we found the prints upon it to be identical with thoseon the page we had been looking at. My father touched them with hisfinger and found that they were fresh, as the ink smeared readily. Hisname was on the corner of the page, where he had written it. Therecould be no doubt that in some way Mahbub had been able to duplicatethe prints. 

"Señor Silva repeated the experiment with another set of prints andthen with another. I think there were six altogether, and every one ofthem was successful. "

"Was Swain's one of them?" asked Godfrey. 

"No; but when Mr. Lester told me that Fred was suspected because ofthose finger-prints, the thought flashed into my mind that if SeñorSilva and Mahbub could imitate those of other people, they couldimitate Fred's, too; and when I looked at the album and found thatsheet torn out, I was sure that was what had happened. "

"And so you decided to stay in the house, to win Señor Silva'sconfidence by pretending to become a convert, and to search forevidence against him, " I said. "That was a brave thing to do, MissVaughan. "

"Not so brave as you think, " she objected, shaking her head. "I didnot believe that there would be any real danger, with the threeservants in the house. Only at the last did I realise the desperatenature of the man. . . . "

She stopped and shivered slightly. 

"Tell us what happened, " I said. 

"It was on Sunday afternoon, " she continued, "that I went to SeñorSilva and told him that I had decided to carry out my father's wish, renounce the world, and become a priestess of Siva. I shall neverforget the fire in his eyes as he listened--they fairly burned into me. "

"Ah!" said Godfrey. "So that was it!"

She looked at him inquiringly. 

"Except upon one hypothesis, " he explained, "that action on your partwould have embarrassed Silva, and he would have tried to dissuade you. He had left him by your father's will this valuable place and amillion dollars. If money had been all he sought, that would havesatisfied him, and he would have tried to get rid of you. That he didnot--that his eyes burned with eagerness when you told him of yourdecision--proves that he loved you and wanted you also. "

A brighter colour swept into Miss Vaughan's cheeks, but she returnedhis gaze bravely. 

"I think that is true, " she assented, in a low voice. "It was mysuspicion of that which made me hesitate--but finally I decided thatthere was no reason why I should spare him and let an innocent mansuffer for him. "

"Especially when you loved the innocent man, " I added to myself, butmanaged to keep the words from my lips. 

"As soon as I told him of my decision, " Miss Vaughan continued, "heled me to the room where the crystal sphere is, placed me on thedivan, sat down opposite me, and began to explain to me the beliefs ofhis religion. Meditation, it seems, is essential to it, and it was bygazing at the crystal that one could separate one's soul from one'sbody and so attain pure and profound meditation. "

"Was that your first experience of crystal-gazing?" Godfrey asked. 

"Yes; both he and my father had often tried to persuade me to jointhem. They often spent whole nights there. But it seemed to me thatthe breaking down of father's will was due to it in some way; I grewto have a fear and horror of it, and so I always refused. "

"The change in your father was undoubtedly directly traceable to it, "Godfrey agreed. "During those periods of crystal-gazing, he was reallyin a state of hypnosis, induced by Silva, with his mind bare toSilva's suggestions; and as these were repeated, he became more andmore a mere echo of Silva's personality. That was what Silva desiredfor you, also. "

"I felt something of the sort, though I never really understood it, "said Miss Vaughan; "and as I sat there on the divan that Sundayafternoon, with his burning eyes upon me, I was terribly afraid. Hiswill was so much stronger than mine, and besides, I could not keep myeyes from the crystal. In the end, I had a vision--a dreadful vision. "

She pressed her hands to her eyes, as though it was still before her. 

"The vision of your father's death?" I questioned. 

She nodded. 

"With Swain as the murderer?"

"How did you know?" she asked, astonished. 

"Because he induced the same vision in me the next evening. But don'tlet me interrupt. "

"I don't know how long the séance lasted, " she continued; "some hours, I suppose, for it was dark when I again realised where I was. Andafter dinner, there was another; and then at midnight he led me to theroof and invoked what he called an astral benediction--a wonderful, wonderful thing. . . . "

Godfrey smiled drily. 

"You were over-wrought, Miss Vaughan, " he said, "and straight from aspell of crystal-gazing. No wonder it impressed you. But it was reallyonly a clever trick. "

"I realise, now, that it must have been a trick, " she agreed; "but atthe time it seemed an unquestionable proof of his divine power. Whenit was over, I had just sufficient strength of will remaining to tearmyself away from him and gain my own room and lock the door. "

"You mean he tried to detain you?"

"Not with his hands. But I could feel his will striving to conquermine. Even after I was in my room, I could feel him calling me. In themorning, I was stronger. I lay in bed until nearly noon, trying toform some plan; but I began to fear that I must give it up. I realisedthat, after a few more nights like the night before, I should nolonger have a will of my own--that what I was pretending would becamereality. I decided that I could risk one more day--perhaps two; but Ifelt very weak and discouraged. You see, I did not know what to lookfor, or where to look. I wanted evidence against him, but I had noidea what the evidence would be. I wanted to search his room, but Ihad not been able to, because he was scarcely ever out of it, exceptwhen he was with me; and, besides, Mahbub was always squatting in thelittle closet next to it. 

"I got up, at last, and after breakfast he met me here in the library. He suggested another séance, but I pleaded a headache, and he walkedwith me about the grounds. I remembered that you were to come in theevening, Mr. Lester, and I determined to leave you with him, on somepretext, and search his room then. I told him you were coming, that Ihad asked you to take charge of my affairs; and it was then he told meof the legacy he believed my father had left him, adding that whetherthe legacy should stand or not was entirely in my hands. Then I beganto feel his influence again, and managed to excuse myself and goindoors. 

"You know what happened in the evening, Mr. Lester. As soon as I leftyou, I flew to his room, determined to search it at any cost. But Iwas scarcely inside, when I heard the outer door open, and I had justtime to get behind the curtains in one corner, when someone entered. Peering out, I saw that it was Mahbub. He looked about for a moment, and then sat down on the divan, folded his feet under him, and fellinto a contemplation of the sphere. I scarcely dared to breathe. I wasalways afraid of Mahbub, " she added; "far more so than of Señor Silva. About Señor Silva there was at least something warm and human; butMahbub impressed me somehow as a brother to the snake, he seemed socold and venomous. "

"You knew he was dead?" I asked, as she paused. 

"Yes; Annie told me, " and she shuddered slightly. 

"The cobra, too, is dead, " added Godfrey. "I agree with you, MissVaughan. There was a kinship between them--though the cobra turnedagainst him in the end. How long did he sit there?"

"I do not know--but it seemed an age to me. Finally, in despair, I hadmade up my mind to try to steal away, when I heard steps in the entry. Mahbub slipped from the divan and disappeared behind the curtains, and then the door opened and Señor Silva and Mr. Lester entered. Isaw, at once, that there was to be another séance, and that I couldnot escape, for Señor Silva sat down facing the corner where I was. Icould only brace myself against the wall and wait. It was a dreadfulordeal. But it had its reward, " she added, with a smile. 

"And that was?" I asked. 

"The discovery of the glove. Señor Silva suddenly switched on thelights, and I knew that the séance was over; but he had somedifficulty in arousing you--the trance must have been a very deepone--and finally, leaving you lying on the divan, he went to the wall, drew aside the hangings, and pressed his hand against a panel. Alittle door flew open, and I saw that there was a cupboard in thewall. He filled a glass with some liquid, pulled the hangings intoplace, and went back to you and made you drink it. It seemed to do yougood. "

"Yes, " I said; "it brought me around at once. And then?"

"And then, as soon as you went out together, I ran to the cupboard andlooked into it. But for a moment I was confused--I saw nothing whichseemed of any importance--some bottles and decanters and glasses, aglass tray or two, a pile of rubber gloves. I couldn't understand. Ipicked up one of the gloves and looked at it, but it was just anordinary glove. Then farther back, I saw some others--theirfinger-tips were stained with ink--and then another, lying by itself. I looked at it, I saw the patches on the finger-tips--I saw thestains--and then I understood. I do not know how I understood, orwhy--it was like a flash of lightning, revealing everything. And then, as I stood there, with the glove in my hand, I heard Señor Silvareturning. "

She paused a moment, and I could see the shiver which ran through herat the recollection. 

"It was not that I was afraid, " she said; "it was that I seemed to belost. I let the draperies fall, ran to the divan and sat down beforethe sphere. I could think of nothing else to do. I can still see hisastonished face when he entered and found me sitting there. 

"'I was waiting for you, ' I said, trying to smile. 'You remember I wasto have another lesson to-night. '

"'Yes, ' he said, and looked at me, his eyes kindling. 

"I was trembling inwardly, for suddenly I began to fear him; I knewthat I must keep my head, that I must not yield to his will, or Iwould be swept away. 

"'I thought Mr. Lester would never go, ' I said. 

"He came to the divan and sat down close beside me, and looked into myeyes. 

"'Did the time really seem so long?' he asked. 

"'It seemed very long, ' I said. 

"He gazed at me for another moment, then rose quickly and turned onthe light. 

"'Sit where you are, ' he said, 'and I will sit here. Fix your eyesupon the sphere and your mind upon the Infinite Mind--so shall greatwisdom come to you. '

"I felt my will crumbling to pieces; I closed my eyes and crushed theglove within my hand, and thought of this man's villainy and of thepart I must play, if I were to defeat him. His voice went on and on, but gradually I ceased to hear it--I was thinking of the glove, ofescape, of Fred. . . . "

Yea, love is strong, I told myself, and it giveth to the dove thewisdom of the serpent, else how had this child come victorious fromsuch an ordeal!

"I do not know how long I sat there, " Miss Vaughan continued, "butSeñor Silva rose suddenly with an exclamation of impatience andswitched on the light. 

"'There is something wrong, ' he said, coming back and standing overme. 'Some hostile influence is at work. What is it?'

"'I do not know, ' I said. 'I cannot lose myself as I did last night. '

"'Something holds you to earth--some chain. Perhaps it is your own wish. '

"'No, no!' I protested. 'Let us try again. '

"He switched off the light and sat down facing me, and again I felthis will trying to enter and conquer me. And again I clasped theglove, and kept my mind upon it, thinking only of escape. "

You can guess how we were leaning forward, listening breathless tothis narrative. I fancied I could see her sitting there in thedarkness, with Silva's evil influence visibly about her, but held atbay by her resolute innocence, as Christian's shield of Faith turnedaside the darts of Apollyon. It was, indeed, a battle of good andevil, the more terrible because it was fought, not with bodilyweapons, but with spiritual ones. 

"At last, Señor Silva rose again, " Miss Vaughan continued, "and turnedon the lights, and I shivered when I met his gaze. 

"'You are defying me, ' he said, very low. 'But I will break you yet, 'and he clapped his hands softly together. 

[Illustration: "I knew that I was lost"]

"Mahbub appeared at the inner door, received a sharp order, anddisappeared again. A moment later, there was a little swirl of smokefrom the door of his room, and a sharp, over-powering odour, whichturned me faint. 

"And then Señor Silva, who had been pacing, up and down the room, stopped suddenly and looked at me, his face distorted. 

"'Is it that?' he muttered. 'Can it be that?'

"And he strode to the curtain which hung before his secret cupboardand swept it back. 

"I knew that I was lost. I sprang for the outer door, managed to getit open and set a foot in the hall, before he seized me. I rememberthat I screamed, and then his hand was at my throat--and I suppose Imust have fainted, " she added, with a little smile, "for the nextthing I remember is looking up and seeing Dr. Hinman. "

I sat back in my chair with a long breath of relief. My tension duringthe telling of the story had been almost painful; and it was not untilit was ended that I saw two other men had entered while Miss Vaughanwas speaking. I was on my feet as soon as I saw them, for I recognisedGoldberger and Sylvester. 

"Simmonds telephoned me this morning that I was needed out hereagain, " Goldberger explained. "But first I want to shake hands withMiss Vaughan. "

"You have met Mr. Goldberger, Miss Vaughan, " I said, as he cameforward, "but Dr. Hinman didn't tell you that he's the cleverestcoroner in greater New York. "

"He doesn't really think so, Miss Vaughan, " Goldberger laughed. "Youought to read some of the things he's written about me! But I want tosay that I heard most of your story, and it's a wonder. About thatglove, now, Simmonds, " he added, turning to the detective. "I'd liketo see it--and Sylvester here is nearly dying to. "

"Here it is, " said Simmonds, and took it from his pocket and passed itover. 

Goldberger looked at it, then handed it to Sylvester, who fairlyseized it, carried it to the door, and examined it with gleaming eyes. Then, without a word, he took an ink-pad from his pocket, slipped theglove upon his right hand, inked the tips of the fingers and pressedthem carefully upon a sheet of paper. From an inner pocket, heproduced a sheaf of photographs, laid them beside the prints, andcarefully compared them. Finally he straightened up and looked at us, his face working. 

"Do you know what this does, gentlemen?" he asked, in a voice huskywith emotion. "It strikes at the foundation of the whole system offinger-print identification! It renders forever uncertain a method wethought absolutely safe! It's the worst blow that has ever beenstruck at the police!"

"You mean the prints agree with the photographs?" asked Godfrey, goingto his side. 

"Absolutely!" said Sylvester, and mopped his face with a shaking hand. 

CHAPTER XXVII

THE END OF THE CASE

To Sylvester, head of the Identification Bureau, it seemed that theworld was tottering to its fall; but the rest of us, who had notreally at the bottom of our hearts, perhaps, believed in theinfallibility of the finger-print system, took it more calmly. Andpresently we went upstairs to take a look at the contents of Silva'ssecret cupboard. When he had first come to the house, Miss Vaughanexplained, he had been given carte-blanche in this suite of rooms. Hehad them remodelled, installed the circular divan and crystal sphere, selected the hangings, and had at the same time, no doubt, caused thesecret cupboard to be built. 

Its contents were most interesting. There was a box of aerial bombs, which Godfrey turned over to Simmonds with the injunction to go andamuse himself. For Sylvester's contemplation and further confusionwere the gloves with which Silva had managed his parlour mystificationscheme, six pairs of them; and there was also the very simpleapparatus with which the finger-print reproductions had been made--anapparatus, as Godfrey had suggested, similar in every way to thatused for making rubber stamps. There, too, were the plates of zincupon which the impressions of the prints had been etched with acid. And, finally, there were various odds and ends of a juggler's outfit, as well as various bottles of perfumes, essences, and liquids whoseproperties we could not guess. 

Godfrey looked at the gloves carefully, as though in search ofsomething, and at last selected one of them with a little exclamationof satisfaction. 

"I thought so!" he said, and held it up. "Look at this glove, Sylvester. You see it has never been used--there is no ink on it. Doyou know what it is? It's the print of Swain's left hand. "

Sylvester took it and looked at it. 

"It's a left hand all right, " he said. "But what makes you think it isSwain's?"

"Because Silva expected to use both hands, till he learned that Swainhad injured one of his. But for that, the blood needed to make theprints would have come from the victim, and Silva would have worn thisglove, too; but Swain's injury gave Silva a happy inspiration!Wonderful man!" he added, half to himself. 

Goldberger and Simmonds went on into the inner room to arrange for thedisposition of the body of Mahbub; but Godfrey and Miss Vaughan and Iturned back together, for we did not wish to see the Thug. At herboudoir door Godfrey paused. 

"The case is clear, " he said, "from first to last, provided you cansupply us with a final detail, Miss Vaughan. "

"What is that?" she asked. 

"Did you write that note to Swain in your own room?"

"Yes. "

"And will you show me the table at which you wrote it?"

"Certainly, " and she opened the door. "Come in. I wrote it at thatlittle desk by the window. "

Godfrey walked to it, picked up a blotting-book which lay upon it, andturned over the leaves. 

"Ah!" he said, after a moment. "I was sure of it. Here is the finallink. Have you a small hand-mirror, Miss Vaughan?"

She brought one from her toilet-table and handed it to him in evidentastonishment. 

"What do you see in the mirror?" he asked, and held a page of theblotting-book at an angle in front of it. 

Miss Vaughan uttered an exclamation of surprise, as she read the wordsreflected there:

 MR. FREDERIC SWAIN, 1010 Fifth Avenue, New York City. 

 If not at this address, please try the Calumet Club. 

"'Tall oaks from little acorns grow, '" quoted Godfrey, tossing thebook back upon the desk. "But for the fact that you blotted theenvelope, Miss Vaughan, young Swain would never have been accused ofmurder. "

"I do not understand, " she murmured. 

"Don't you see, " he pointed out, "the one question which we have beenunable to answer up to this moment has been this: how did Silva knowyou were going to meet Swain? He had to know it, and know it severalhours before the meeting, in order to have those finger-prints ready. I concluded, at last, that there _must_ be a blotting-book--and thereit is. "

Miss Vaughan stared at him. 

"You seem to be a very wonderful man!" she said. 

Godfrey laughed. 

"It is my every-day business to reconstruct mysteries, " he said. "Shall I reconstruct this one?"

"Please do!" she begged, and motioned us to be seated. 

Godfrey's face was glowing with the sort of creative fire which, Iimagine, illumines the poet's brow at the moment of inspiration. 

"Where did you first meet Silva?" he asked. 

"In Paris. "

"What was he doing there?"

"He was practising mysticism. My father went to consult him; he wasmuch impressed by him, and they became very intimate. "

"And Silva, of course, at once saw the possibilities of exploiting animmensely rich old man, whose mind was failing. So he comes here ashis instructor in Orientalism; he does some very marvellous things; bycontinued hypnosis, he gets your father completely under his control. He secures a promise of this estate and a great endowment; he causesyour father to make a will in which these bequests are specificallystated. Then he hesitates, for during his residence in this house, anew desire has been added to the old ones. It had not often been hisfortune to be thrown in daily contact with an innocent and beautifulgirl, and he ends by falling in love with you. He knows of your lovefor Swain. He has caused Swain to be forbidden the house; but he findsyou still indifferent. At last, by means of his own entreaties andyour father's, he secures your consent to become his disciple. Heknows that, if once you consent to sit with him, he will, in the end, dominate your will, also. 

"But you ask for three days' delay, and this he grants. During everymoment of those three days, he will keep you under surveillance. Almost at once, he guesses at your plan, for you return to the house, you write a letter, and, the moment you leave your room, he enters itand sees the impression on the blotter. He follows you into thegrounds, he sees you throw the letter over the wall, and suspects thatyou are calling Swain to your aid. More than that, Lester, " he added, turning to me, "he saw you in the tree, and so kept up his midnightfire-works, on the off-chance that you might be watching!"

"Yes; that explains that, too, " I agreed thoughtfully. 

"When he realises that you are asking your lover's aid, " Godfreycontinued to Miss Vaughan, "a fiendish idea springs into his mind. IfSwain answers the call, if he enters the grounds, he will separate himfrom you once for all by causing him to be found guilty of killingyour father. He hastens back to the house, tears the leaf from thealbum of finger-prints and prepares the rubber gloves. That night, hefollows you when you leave the house; he overhears your talk in thearbour; and he finds that there is another reason than that ofjealousy why he must act at once. If your father is found to beinsane, the will drawn up only three days before will be invalid. Silva will lose everything--not only you, but the fortune alreadywithin his grasp. 

"He hurries to the house and tells your father of the rendezvous. Yourfather rushes out and brings you back, after a bitter quarrel withSwain, which Silva has, of course, foreseen. You come up to your room;your father flings himself into his chair again. It is Silva who hasfollowed you--who has purposely made a noise in order that you mightthink it was Swain. And he carries in his hand the blood-soakedhandkerchief which Swain dropped when he fled from the arbour. 

"Up to this point, " Godfrey went on, more slowly, "everything isclear--every detail fits every other detail perfectly. But, in thenext step of the tragedy, one detail is uncertain--whose hand was itdrew the cord around your father's throat? I am inclined to think itwas Mahbub's. If Silva had done the deed, he would probably havechosen a method less Oriental; but Mahbub, even under hypnoticsuggestion, would kill only in the way to which he was accustomed--witha noose. Pardon me, " he added, quickly, as she shrank into her chair, "I have forgotten how repellent this must be to you. I havespoken brutally. "

"Please go on, " she murmured. "It is right that I should hear it. Ican bear it. "

"There is not much more to tell, " said Godfrey, gently. "Whoever itwas that drew the cord, it was Silva who moistened the glove from theblood-soaked handkerchief, made the marks upon your father's robe, andthen dropped the handkerchief beside his chair. Then he returnedsoftly to his room, closed the door, put away the glove, cleansed hishands, made sure that Mahbub was in his closet, took his place uponthe divan, and waited. I think we know the rest. And now, Lester, " headded, turning to me, "we would better be getting to town. Remember, Swain is still in the Tombs. "

"You are right, " I said, and rose to take my leave, but Miss Vaughan, her eyes shining, stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve. 

"I should like to go with you, Mr. Lester, " she said. "May I?"

The colour deepened in her cheeks as she met my gaze, and I understoodwhat was in her heart. So did Godfrey. 

"I'll have my car around in ten minutes, " he said, and hastened away. 

"I have only to put on my hat, " said Miss Vaughan; and I found herwaiting for me in the library, when I entered it after arranging withSimmonds and Goldberger to appear with me in the Tombs court and joinme in asking for Swain's release. 

Godfrey's car came up the drive a moment later, and we were off. 

The hour that followed was a silent one. Godfrey was soon sufficientlyoccupied in guiding the car through the tangle of traffic. MissVaughan leaned back in a corner of the tonneau lost in thought. It wasjust six days since I had seen her first; but those six days had lefttheir mark upon her. Perhaps, in time, happiness would banish thatshadow from her eyes, and that tremulousness from her lips. Everybattle leaves its mark, even on the victor; and the battle she hadfought had been a desperate one. But, as I looked at her, she seemedmore complete, more desirable than she had ever been; I could onlyhope that Swain would measure up to her. 

At last, we drew up before the grey stone building, whose barredwindows and high wall marked the prison. 

"Here we are, " I said, and helped her to alight. 

Godfrey greeted the door-keeper as an old friend, and, after awhispered word, we were allowed to pass. A guard showed us into abare waiting-room, and Godfrey hastened away to explain our errand tothe warden. 

"Won't you sit down?" I asked, but my companion shook her head, with afrightened little smile, and paced nervously up and down, her handsagainst her heart. How riotously it was beating I could guess--withwhat hope, what fear. . . . 

There was a quick step in the corridor, and she stood as if turned tostone. 

Then the door was flung open, and, with radiant face, she walkedstraight into the outstretched arms of the man who stood there. Iheard her muffled sob, as the arms closed about her and she hid herface against his shoulder; then a hand was laid upon my sleeve. 

"Come along, Lester, " said Godfrey softly. "This case is ended!"

THE END