第5章
"Doctor，whatinyouropinioncausedMr。Turnbull’sdeath？"
"Judgingsuperficially—Imadenothoroughexamination，"Stoneexplainedparenthetically，"IshouldsaythatMr。RochesterwasrightwhenhestatedthatTurnbulldiedfromanacuteattackofanginapectoris。"
"HowdidMr。Rochestercometomakethatassertionandwhere？"
"ImmediatelyafterTurnbull’sdeath，"repliedStone。"Mr。Rochester，whosharedhisapartment，defendedhimincourt。Mr。RochesterwasawarethatTurnbullsufferedfromthedisease，andMr。Clymer，whowaspresent，alsoknewit。"
"Andwhatisyouropinion，doctor？"questionedPenfield。
Stonehesitated。"TherewasadistinctodorofamylnitritenoticeablewhenIwenttoTurnbull’said，andIconcludedthenthathehadsomehearttroubleandhadinhaledthedrugtowardoffanattack。ItbearsoutMr。Rochester’stheoryofdeathfromanginapectoris。"
"Isee。Thankyou，doctor。Pleasewaitwiththeotherwitnesses;
wemaycallyouagain，"andwithasighthebusyphysicianresignedhimselftospendinganotherhourintheroomreservedforthewitnesses。
ThenexttotakethewitnessstandwasDeputyMarshalGrant。Histestimonywasshortandconcise，—andhisdescriptionofthesceneinthepolicecourtprecedingTurnbull’sdeathwaslistenedtowithdeepattentionbyeveryone。
"Didtheprisonershowanysymptomsofillnessbeforehisheartattack？"askedPenfield。
"Notexactlyillness，"repliedGrantslowly。"Inoticedhedidn’tmoveveryquickly;sortofshambled，asifhewasweakinhislegs。
I’veseen’drunkanddisorderlies’actjustthatway，andpaidnoparticularattentiontohim。Hedidaskforadrinkofwaterjustafterhereturnedtothecage。"
"Didyougiveittohim？"
"No，anattendantgavetheglasstoMr。RochesterwhohandedittoMr。Turnbull。"
PenfieldregardedGrantinsilenceforaminute。"Thatisall，"
heannounced，andwithapolitebowthedeputymarshalwithdrew。
DetectiveFergusonrecognizedKentashepasseduptheroomtotheplatformandgavehimaslightbowandsmile，butthesmilehaddisappearedwhen，atthecoroner’srequest，hetoldofhisarrivaljustafterthediscoveryoftheburglar’sidentity。
"Isearchedthecagewheretheprisonerhadbeenseatedandfoundthishandkerchief，"hewentontosay。"IthadbeendroppedbyTurnbullandwassaturatedwithamylnitrite。Ihaditexaminedbyachemist，whosaidthatthisamylnitritewasgiventopatientswithhearttroubleinlittlepearlcapsulestobecrushedinhandkerchiefsandthefumesinhaled。
"Thechemistalsotoldmethat"—thedetectivespokewithimpressiveseriousness，"judgingfromthenumberofparticlesofcapsulesadheringtothelinen，morethanonecapsulehadbeencrushedbyTurnbull。Hereisthehandkerchief，"andhelaiditonthetablewithgreatcare。
Kent’sheartsank;themomenthehaddreadedallthatlongafternoonhadcome。Penfieldinspectedthehandkerchiefwithinterest，andthenpassedittothejurors，cautioningthemtohandleitcarefully。
"Inote，"hestated，turningagaintoDetectiveFerguson，"thatitisawoman’shandkerchief。"
"Itis，"repliedFerguson。"Andembroideredinonecorneristheinitial’B。’"
Penfieldranhisfingersthroughhisgrayhair。"Youmaygo，Ferguson，"hesaid，andbeckonedtothemorguemaster。"AskMissBarbaraMcIntyretoreturn。"
Thegirlwasquickinansweringthesummons。Kent，moreandmoreworried，waswatchingthescenewithpainfulattention。
"DidMr。Turnbullhaveoneofyourhandkerchiefs？"askedPenfield。
Hersurpriseatthequestionwasmanifestinhermanner。
"Hemighthave，"shesaid。"Ihaveadreadfulhabitofdroppingmyhandkerchiefsaround。"
"DidyoumissoneafterhisvisittoyourhouseonMondaynight？"
"MissMcIntyre，"Penfieldtookupthehandkerchiefwhichtheforemanreplacedonhisdeskamomentbefore，andholdingitwithcareextendedittowardthegirl。"Isthisyourhandkerchief？"
Sheinspectedthehandkerchiefandtheinitialwithcuriosity，butwithnothingmore，Kentwasconvinced，andinhisreliefwasalmostguiltyofdisturbingthedecorumoftheinquestwithashoutofjoy。
"Itisnotmyhandkerchief，"shestatedclearly。
Penfieldreplacedthehandkerchiefonthetablewiththesamecarehehadpickeditup，andturnedagaintoher。
"Thankyou，MissMcIntyre;Iwon’tdetainyoulonger。Logan，"tothemorguemaster，"askDr。Stonetostephere。"
AlmostimmediatelyStonereenteredtheroomandhurriedtotheplatform。
"Wouldtwoormorecapsulesofamylnitriteconstitutealethaldose？"askedPenfield。
"Theywouldbeveryapttofinishafeebleheart，"repliedStone。
"Threecapsules，ifinhaleddeeplywouldcertainlykillahealthyperson。"
Penfieldshowedthehandkerchieftothephysician。"Canachemisttell，fromtheparticlesclingingtothishandkerchief，howmanycapsuleshavebeenused？"
"Ishouldsayhecould。"Stonelookedgraveasheinspectedthelinen，takingcarefulnoteoftheletter"B"inonecornerofthehandkerchief。"Butthereisthistobeconsidered—Turnbullmaynothavecrushedthosecapsulesallatthesametime。"
"Whatdoyoumean？"
"Hemayhavefeltanattackcomingonearlierintheeveningandusedacapsule，andinthepolicecourtusedthesamehandkerchiefinthesamemanner。"
"Isee，"Penfieldnodded。"Thepointiscleverlytaken。"
Kentsilentlyagreedwiththecoroner。ThenextinstantStonewasexcused，andafteraslightpausethedeputycoroner，Dr。Mayo，lefthistableandhisnotesandoccupiedthewitnesschair，afterfirstbeingsworn。Thepreliminariesdidnotconsumemuchtime，andPenfield’smannerwasbriskasheaddressedhisassistant。
"Didyoumakeapost—mortemexaminationofTurnbull？"heasked。
"Idid，sir，inthepresenceofthemorguemasterandDr。McLane。"
Dr。Mayodisplayedananatomicalchart，drawinghispencildownitashetalked。"Wefoundfromtheconditionoftheheartthatthedeceasedhadsufferedfromanginapectoris"—hepausedandspokemoreslowly—"inexaminingthegastriccontentswefoundthepresenceofaconitine。"
"Aconitine？"questionedPenfield，andthereporters，scentingthesensational，leanedforwardeagerlysoasnottomissthedeputycoroner’sanswer。
"Aconitine，anactivepoison，"heexplained。"Itisthealkaloidofaconite，andgenerallyfatalinitsresults。"
CHAPTERX
ATTHECLUBDEVINGT
ThelargebuildingofthepopularClubdeVingt，orasoneWashingtonianputit，the"ClubDeVin，"whichhadsprungintoexistenceintheNationalCapitalduringthewar，wasablazewithlightandBenjaminClymer，sittingatasmalltableinonecornerofthedining—room，wishedmostheartilythatithadbeenlesscrowded。Manydinner—partieswerebeinggiventhatnight，anditwasonlybydintofperseveranceandaTreasurynotethathehadfinallyinducedtheheadwaitertoputinanextratableforhimandhisguest，HarryKent。Kenthadbeenverylateand，toaddtohisshort—comings，hadbeensilent，nottosaymorose，duringdinner。Clymerheavedasighofreliefwhenthetablewasclearedandcoffeeandcigarsplacedbeforethem。
Kentrousedhimselffromhisabstraction。"Wecannottalkhere，"
hesaid，lookingatthegaydinerswhosurroundedthem。"AndI
haveseveralimportantmatterstodiscusswithyou，Mr。Clymer。"
Hisremarkwasoverheardbytheirwaiter，andhestoppedpouringoutKent’scoffee。
"Thereisasmallsmokingroomtotherightofthediningroom，"
hesuggested。"Ipassedtherebutamomentagoanditwasnotoccupied。Ifyoudesire，sir，Iwillservecoffeethere。"
"Anexcellentidea。"ClymerrosequicklyandheandKentfollowedthewaitertotheinclosedporchwhichhadbeenconvertedintoanattractiveloungingroomfortheclubmembers。Itwasmuchcoolerthantheover—heateddiningroom，andKentwasgratefulforthesubduedlightgivenoutbytheartisticallyshadedlampswithwhichitwasfurnished。Therewassilencewhilethewaiterwithdeftfingersarrangedthecoffeeandcigarsonawickertable;thenreceivingClymer’sgeneroustipwithawordofthanks，themandeparted。
Kentwheeledhischairaroundsoastofacehiscompanionandstillhaveasideviewofthediningroom，wheretableswerebeingrapidlyremovedforthedancewhichfolloweddinnersonThursdaynights。Clymerselectedacigarwithcareand，leaningbackinhischairuntilthewickercreakedunderhisweight，hewaitedpatientlyforKenttospeak。ItwasfullyfiveminutesbeforeKentaddressedhim。
"SoJamesTurnbullwaspoisonedafterall，"hecommented。"AweekagoIwouldhaveswornthatJimmiehadn’tanenemyintheworld。"
"Ah，buthehad;andaverybittervindictiveenemy，iftheevidencegivenatthecoroner’sinquestthisafternoonistobebelieved，"
repliedClymerseriously。"Thecaseisremarkablypuzzling。"
"Itis。"Kentbitsavagelyathiscigarasaslightventtohisfeelings。"’Killedbyadoseofaconitinebyapersonorpersonsunknown，’wasthejury’sverdict，andanicetangletheyhaveleftmetoferretout。’’
"You？"
"Yes。I’mgoingtosolvethismysteryifitisapossiblething。"
Kent’stonewasgrim。"AndColonelMcIntyreonlygavemeuntilSaturdaynighttoworkin。"
Clymereyedhiminsurprise。"McIntyredesirestogetbackhislostsecurities;judgingfromhiscommentsaftertheinquest，heisnotparticularlyinterestedinwhokilledTurnbull。"
"ButIam，"exclaimedKent。"ThemoreIthinkofit，themoreconvincedIamthattheforgedletter，withthesubsequentdisappearanceofMcIntyre’ssecuritieshassomeconnectionwithJimmie’suntimelydeath，beitmurderorsuicide。"
"Suicide？"Clymer’sraisedeyebrowsindicatedhissurprise。
"Yes，"shortly。"Aconitinewouldhavekilledjustassurelyifswallowedwithsuicidalintentasifadministeredwithmurderousdesign。"
Apausefollowedwhichneithermanseemedanxioustobreak，thenKentturnedtothebanker，andthelatternoticedthehaggardlinesinhisface。
"Listentome，Mr。Clymer，"hebegan。"MyinstincttellsmethatJimmieTurnbullneverforgedthatletterorstoleMcIntyre’ssecurities，butIadmitthateverythingpointstohisguilt，evenhisdeath。"
"Howso？"
"Becausethetheftofthesecuritiessuppliesamotiveforhissuicide—fearofexposureandimprisonment，"arguedKent。"Butthereisnomotive，sofarasIcansee，forJimmie’smurder。
Mendon’tkilleachotherwithoutamotive。"Thereishomicidalmania，"suggestedClymer。
"Butnotinthiscase，"retortedKent。"WearesanemenanditisuptoustofindoutifJimmiediedbyhisownhandorwaskilledbysomeunknownenemy。’’
"Resteasy，Mr。Kent，"saidavoicefromthedoorwayandKent，whohadturnedhisbackinthatdirectionthebettertotalktoClymer，whirledaroundandfoundDetectiveFergusonregardinghimjustinsidethethreshold。"Mr。Turnbull’senemyisnotunknownandwillsoonbeunderarrest。"
"Whoishe？"demandedClymerandKentsimultaneously。
"PhilipRochester。"
Clymerwasthefirsttorecoverfromhisastonishment。"Oh，getout！"heexclaimedincredulously。"Why，RochesterwasTurnbull’smostintimatefriend。"
"Untiltheyfellinlovewiththesamegirl，"answeredFergusonsuccinctly，takingpossessionoftheonlyotherchairtheporchboasted。"OnequarrelledtoanotherandthenRochesterdidforhim。Oh，itdove—tailsnicely;motive，jealousanger;opportunity，recognitionincourtofTurnbulldisguisedasaburglar，atthesametimeRochesterlearnsthatTurnbullhasbeencaughtaftermidnightinthehouseofhissweetheart—"
"D—mnyou！"Kentsprangforthedetective’sthroat。"Cutoutyourabominableinsinuations。MissMcIntyreshallnotbeinsulted。"
"I’mnotinsultingher，"gaspedFerguson，halfstrangled。"Letgo，Mr。Kent。I’monlytellingyouwhatthathalfcrazypartnerofyours，Rochester，wasprobablythinkinginthepolicecourt。Letgo，Isay。"
Clymeraidedthedetectiveinfreeinghimself。"Sitdown，Kent，"
hesaidsternly。"Fergusonmeantnooffense。Goahead，man，andtellustherestofyourtheories。"
Itwassomeminutes，however，beforethedetectivehadcollectedsufficientbreathtoanswerintelligently。
"Isizeitupthisway，"hebeganwitharesentfulglanceatKentwhohaddroppedbackinhischairagain。"Rochesterknewhisfriendhadheartdiseaseandthathissuddendeathwouldbeattributedtoit—sohetookasportingchanceandadministeredafataldoseofaconitine。"
"Howwasitdone？"askedClymer。
"JustslippedthepoisonintotheglassofwaterhehandedtoTurnbullinthecourtroom，"explainedFerguson，andglancedintriumphatKent。"Neat，wasn’tit？"
Kentregardedthedetective，hismindinawhirl。Histheorywascertainlyplausible，but—"Haveyouotherevidencetoprove，yourtheory？"heasked。
"Yes。"Fergusoncheckedoffhispointsonhisfingers。"RememberhowinsistentMr。RochesterwasthatTurnbullhaddiedfromanginapectoris？"
"Ido，"acknowledgedClymer，deeplyinterested。"Continue，Ferguson。"
Thedetectiveneedednosecondbidding。
"Anotherpoint，"hebegan。"Thereneverwouldhavebeenapost—mortemexaminationifMissHelenMcIntyrehadn’taskedforit。Sheknewoftheill—feelingbetweenthemenandsuspectedfoulplayonRochester’spart。"
"Wait，"commandedKent。"HasMissMcIntyresubstantiatedthatstatement？"
"Notyet，"admittedFerguson。"Istoppedatherhouse，butthebutlersaidtheyoungladieshadretiredandcouldnotseeanyone。"Kent，whohadcalledthereonthewaytokeephisdinnerengagementwithClymer，hadbeenmetwiththesamestatement，tohisbitterdisappointment。Hemostearnestlydesiredtoseethetwinsandtoseethemtogether，tomakeonemoreefforttoinducethemtoconfideinhim;forthattheyhadsomesecrettroublehewasconvinced;helongedtobeofaid，buthishandsweretiedthroughlackofinformation。
"Don’timplymotivestoMissMcIntyre’sactuntilyouhaveverifiedthem，Ferguson，"hecautioned。"Goonwithyourtheories。"
"Onemoment，"Clymerbrokeintotheconversation。"DidRochestertellyou，Ferguson，thathehadrecognizedTurnbullinhisburglardisguise？"
"No，sir;Ineverhadanopportunitytoaskhim，forhedisappearedTuesdaynightandhasnotbeenseenorheardofsince，"Fergusonrejoined。
"Holdon，"Kentcheckedhimwithanimpatientgesture。"IhadatelegramfromRochesterthismorning，statinghewasinCleveland。"
"Ididn’tforgetaboutthetelegram，"retortedFerguson。"Itwastoconsultyouaboutthat，thatIhuntedyouupto—night。Thattelegramwasbogus。"
"What！"Kenthalfrosefromhischair。
"Yes。AftertheinquestIcalledClevelandonthelongdistance，talkedwiththeCityClubofficialsandwithPoliceHeadquarters;
alldeclaredthatRochesterwasnotthere，andnotracecouldbefoundofhishavingeverarrivedinthecity。"
Clymerlaiddownhishalfsmokedcigarandstaredatthedetective。
"YouthinkthenthatRochesterhasbolted？"heasked。
"Itlooksthatway，"insistedFerguson。"Howaboutit，Mr。Kent？"
Thequestionwasputwithatouchofarrogance。
Kentdidnotreplyimmediately。EveryfactthatFergusonhadbroughtoutfittedthesituation，andRochester’sdisappearanceaddedcolortothedetective’scharges。Whywashehidingunlessfromguiltymotives，andwherehadhegone？Kentshookabewilderedhead。
"Itisplausible，"heconceded，"but，afterall，onlycircumstantialevidence。"
"Well，circumstantialevidenceisgoodenoughformetoworkon，"
retortedFerguson。"OndiscoveringthatthetelegramfromClevelandwasahoax，IconcludedFergusonmightbelurkingaroundWashingtonandsosentadescriptionofhimtothedifferentprecinctsandsecuredasearchwarrant。"
"Youdid？"
"Yes。ArmedwithitIvisitedMr。Rochester’sapartment，butcouldn’tfindaclewtohispresentwhereabouts，"admittedFerguson。
"SothenIwenttoyouroffice，Mr。Kent，andransackedthefirm’ssafe。"
"Confoundyou！"Kentleanedforwardinhiswrathandshookhisfistatthedetective。"Whatrighthadyoutodosuchathing？"
"Thesearchwarrantcoveredit，"explainedFerguson。"Icouldlookthroughyoursafe，Mr。Kent，becauseRochesterwasyourseniorpartnerandyousharedtheofficetogether;Iwaswithinthelaw。"
"Perhapsyouwere，"Kentcontrolledhisangerwithaneffort。"ButIhadtoldyouIdidnotknowRochester’swhereaboutsbeforeI
showedyoutheClevelandtelegram，whichyouclaimisbogus。"
"It’sbogus，allright，"insistedthedetective。"IthoughtitjustpossibleImightfindsomepaperwhichwouldgivemeaclewtoRochester’shidingplace，soIwentthroughthesafe。"
"Howdidyougetitopen？"askedKent。
"Ifounditopen。"
Kentleapttohisfeet。"You—found—itopen！"—hestammered。
"Why，man，IlockedthatsafesecurelyjustbeforeIlefttheofficeatsixo’clock。"
Sure？"
Absolutelycertain。"
"Wereyoualone？"
"Yes，allalone。Sylvesterleftatfiveo’clock"
"Whoknewthecombinationofthesafe？"
"OnlyRochesterandI。"
ItwasFerguson’sturntospringup"By—！"heexclaimed。"Ithoughttheelectricbulbsintheofficefeltwarm，asiftheyhadrecentlybeenburning—Rochestermusthavebeentherejustbeforeme。"
"ItwouldseemthatRochesterisstillinthecity，"remarkedClymer。
"Doyouknow，Kent，whetherhehadhisofficekeyswithhim？"
"Ipresumeso，"Kentslippedhishandinsidehispocketandtookoutabunchofkeys。"Helefttheseduplicatesinhisdeskattheoffice。"
"Suretheyareduplicates？"questionedFerguson，andKentflushed。
"Iknowtheyare，"heretorted。"Rochesterhadthemmadeoverayearagoasamatterofconvenience，forhewasalwaysforgettinghiskeys，andkepttheseatouroffice。"
"He’saqueercuss，"wasthedetective’sonlycommentandClymerbrokeintotheconversation。
"Didyoufindanyaddressorpaperinthesafewhichmightproveaclew，Ferguson？"heinquired。
"Nothing，notevenascrapofpaper，"andthedetective’stonewasglum。
"Didthesafelookasifitscontentshadbeentumbledabout？"
askedKent。
"No，everythingseemedinorder。"Fergusonthrusthishandinsidehiscoatpocket。"Therewasoneenvelopeintherighthandcompartmentwhichpuzzledme—"
"Holdon—wasthatcompartmentalsounlocked？"askedKent。
"Itwas，"notgivingKenttimetospeakagainFergusoncontinuedhisremarks。"AsthiswasunaddressedIbroughtittoyou，Mr。
Kent，toaskifitwasyourpersonalproperty"—hedrewoutthewhiteenvelopewhichHelenMcIntyrehadbroughtKentthatmorningandturneditoversothatbothmencouldseethelargeredsealbearingtheletter"B。"
"Itismyproperty，"assertedKentinstantly。
"Wouldyoumindopeningit？"askedFerguson。
"Iwould，mostcertainly;itrelatestomypersonalaffairs。"
Fergusonlookedatriflenon—plussed。"Wouldyoumindtellingmeitscontents，Mr。Kent？"heaskedpersuasively。
Kentregardedthedetectivesquarely。HecouldnotbetrayHelen，theenvelopemightcontainharmlessnonsense，butshehadplaceditinhissafe—keeping—no，confoundit，shehadleftitinthesafeforRochester—andRochesterwasapparentlyafugitivefromjustice，whilecircumstantialevidencepointedtohishavingpoisonedHelen’slover，Jimmie……
"Ifyoumustknow，Ferguson，"Kentspokewithdeliberation。"Theyareoldlovelettersofmine。"
Clymerglanceddownattheenvelopewhichthedetectivestillheld，theredsealmakingadistinctblotchofcoloronthewhite，glazedsurface。
"Ah，Kent，"hesaidinamusement。"SorumorisrightinpredictingyourengagementtoBarbaraMcIntyre。Goodlucktoyou！"
Throughtheopendoorwaytothediningroomwherethedancinghadceasedforthemoment，cameasoftlaughandMrs。Brewsterlookedinatthem。McIntyre，standinglikehershadow，gazedincuriosityoverhershoulderatthethreemen。
"Howjollytofindyou，"cooedMrs。Brewster。"Andwhatacharmingretreat！It’smuchtoonicetobeoccupiedbymen，only。"SheinclinedherheadinalittlegraciousbowtoFergusonandsteppedinside。
"Havemychair，"suggestedClymerhospitablyastheprettywidowraisedherlorgnetteandscannedtheOrientalhangingsandlamps，andlastly，thewhiteenvelopewhichlayonthetable，redsealuppermost，whereFergusonhadplaceditonherentrance。
"Areyourdaughtershere，ColonelMcIntyre？"askedKentashetookasteptowardthetable。McIntyre’sanswerwasdrownedinanoutburstofcheeringinthediningroomandtherushofmanyfeet。
OncommonimpulseKentandtheothersturnedtowardthedoorwayandlookedinsidethediningroom。TwoofficersoftheFrenchHighCommissionwerebeingheldontheshouldersofcomradesandweredelivering，asbesttheycouldamidstcheersandapplause，theirfarewelltohospitableWashington。
Ashiscompanionsbrushedbyhimtojointhegaythronginthecenteroftheroom，Kentturnedbacktopickuptheenvelopehehadleftlyingonthetable。Itwasgone。
InfeverishhasteKentlookedunderthetable，underthechairs，theloungeanditscushions，behindthedraperies，andevenundertherugswhichcoveredtheflooroftheporch，andthenroseandstaredintothediningroom。Whichoneofhiscompanionshadtakentheenvelope？
Outsidetheporchthebeautifultrumpetvine，itssturdytrunkandthickbranchesreachingalmosttotheroofoftheclubbuilding，rustledasinahighwind，andthebranchesswayedthiswayandthatasafigureclimbedswiftlydownfromtheporchuntil，reachingthefenceseparatingtheclubpropertyfromitsneighbor’s，themanswungacrossit，nomeanathleticfeet，andtakingadvantageofeachshelteringshadow，dartedintothealleyandfromtheredownsilent，desertedNineteenthStreet。
CHAPTERXI
HALFATRUTH
DancingwasbeingresumedinthediningroomasKentappearedagaininthedoorwayandhemadehiswayasquicklyaspossibleamongthecouples，goingintoalltheroomsonthatfloor，butnowherecouldhefindDetectiveFerguson。Onemergingfromthedrawingroom，heencounteredthestewardreturningfromdownstairs。
"HaveyouseenMr。Clymer？"heaskedhurriedly。
"Yes，Mr。Kent;hejustlefttheclub，takingDetectiveFergusonwithhiminhismotor。IsthereanythingIcando？"addedthestewardobservingKent’sagitation。
"No，no，thanks。Say，whereisColonelMcIntyre？"Kentgaveupfurtherpursuitofthedetective，hecouldfindhimlateratHeadquarters。Thestewardlookedamongthedancers。"Idon’tseehim，"hesaid，"ButthereisMrs。Brewsterdancinginthefrontroom;theColonelmustbesomewherearound。IfImeethim，Mr。Kent，shallItellhimyouarelookingforhim？"
"Iwillbegreatlyobligedifyouwilldoso，"repliedKent，andstraighteninghistie，hewentinquestoftheprettywidow。Hehadfoundheramerrychatter—boxinthepast，possiblyhecouldgainvaluableinformationfromher。HefoundMrs。BrewsterjustcompletingherdancewithafinelookingItalianofficerwhosebroadbreastboremanymilitarydecorations。
"Dancetheencorewithme"—Kentcouldbeverypersuasivewhenhewished，andMrs。Brewsterdimpledwithpleasure，buttherewasafaintindecisioninhermannerwhichhewasquicktonote。Whatpromptedit？Hehadbeenonfriendlytermswithher;infact，shehadopenlychampionedhiscause，soBarbarahadoncetoldhim，whenColonelMcIntyrehadmadecausticremarksabouthisfrequentcallsattheMcIntyrehouse。
"Justoneturn，"shesaid，astheforeignerbowedandwithdrew。"I
amfeelingalittlewearyto—night—thestrainoftheinquest，"she，addedinexplanation。
"Perhapsyouwouldrathersitoutthedance，"hesuggested。"Thereisanalcoveinthatwindow;oh，pshaw！"asamanandagirltookpossessionofthechairs。
"Nevermind，wecanroostonthestairs，"Mrs。Brewsterprecededhimtothestaircaseleadingtothethirdfloor，andsatdown，bracingherbackverycomfortablyagainsttherailing，whileKentseatedhimselfatherfeetonthelowerstep。"Extraordinarydevelopmentsattheinquestthisafternoon，"hebegan，asshevolunteerednoremark。"TothinkofJimmieTurnbullbeingpoisoned！"
"Itisunbelievable，"shesaid，andhervehemencewasasurprisetoKent;heknewherasallfrothandbubble。Whathadbroughtthedarkcirclesunderhereyesandtheunwontedseriousnessinhermanner？
"Unbelievable，yes，"heagreedgravely。"Buttrue;theautopsyendedalldoubt。"
"Youmeanitdevelopeddoubt，"shecorrected，andasighaccompaniedthewords。"Havethepoliceanyclewtotheguiltyman？"
"Idon’tknow，I’msure，"Kentspokewithcaution。
"Youdon’t？"Hervoicewasalittlesharp。"Didn’tDetectiveFergusongiveyouanynewswhentalkingtoyouontheporch？"
"Soyourecognizedthedetective？"
"I？No;Ihaveneverseenhimbefore"—shenoddedgaylytoanacquaintancepassingthroughthehall。"ColonelMcIntyretoldmehisname。ItwassooddtomeetamanherenotineveningclothesthatIhadtoaskwhohewas。"
"Fergusoncametobringmesomepapersaboutapersonalmatter，"
explainedKent。Heturnedsoastofaceher。"Didyouseeawhiteenvelopelyingonthetablewhenyouwalkedoutontheporch？"
Shebowedherheadabsently，herfootkeepingtimetotheinspiringmusicplayedbytheorchestrastationedonthestairlandingjustabovewheretheysat。"Youleftitlyingonthetable。"
"Yes，soIdid，"repliedKent。"AndIbelieveIwassoungallantastoboltintothediningroominfrontofyou。Pleaseacceptmyapologies。"Behindherfan，whichsheusedwithlanguidgrace，thewidowwatchedhim。
"Weallboltedtogether，"sheresponded，"andareequallyguilty—"
"Ofwhat？"questionedavoicefromthebackground，andlookingupKentsawColonelMcIntyrestandingonthestepaboveMrs。Brewster。
Themusichadceasedandinthelulltheirconversationhadbeendistinctlyaudible。
"Guiltyofcuriosity，"finishedthewidow。
"ColoneldeGeofroy’sfarewellspeechwasveryamusing，didyounotthinkso？"
"Ididnotstaytohearit，"Kentconfessed。"Ihadtoreturntotheporchandgetmyenvelope。"
"Youwerealongtimeaboutit，"commentedMcIntyre，sittingdownbyMrs。Brewsterandpossessinghimselfofherfan。"IwaitedtotellyouthatHelenandBarbarawerewornoutaftertheinquestandsostayedathometo—night，butyoudidn’tshowup。"
"Neitherdidtheenvelope，"retortedKent，andashiscompanionslookedathim，headded。"Ithaddisappearedoffthetable。"
"Probablyblewaway，"suggestedMcIntyre。"Inoticedastrongcurrentofairfromthediningroom，andtwoofthewindowsinclosingtheporchwereopen。
"That’shardlypossible，"Kentrepliedskeptically。"Theenvelopeweighedatleasttwoounces;itwouldhavetakenquiteagaletobudgeit。"
McIntyreturnedred。"Areyouinsinuatingthatoneofuswalkedoffwithyourenvelope，Kent？"hedemandedangrily。Mrs。Brewsterstayedhimashewasabouttorise。
"DidyounotsaythatDetectiveFergusonbroughtyoutheenvelope，Mr。Kent？"sheasked。
"Yes。"
"Thenwhatmorelikelythanthathecarrieditoffagain？"ShesmiledamusedlyasKent’sexpressionaltered。"Whynotaskthedetective？"
Hersuggestionheldagrainoftruth。SupposeFergusonhadnotbelievedhisstatementthatthepapersintheenvelopewerehispersonalpropertyandhadtakentheenvelopeawaytoexamineitathisleisure？ThethoughtbroughtKenttohisfeet。
"Goodnight，Mrs。SherlockHolmes，"hesaidjestingly，"I’llfollowyouradvice—Therewasnoopportunitytosaymore，forseveralmenhaddiscoveredthewidow’sperchonthestairsandcametoclaimtheirdances。OvertheirheadsMcIntyrewatchedKentstridedownstairs，thenstoopingoverhepickedupMrs。
Brewster’sfanandsatdowntopatientlyawaitherreturn。
Kent’spursuitofthedetectivetooklongerthanhehadanticipated，anditwasaftermidnightbeforehefinallylocatedhimattheofficeoftheChiefofDetectivesintheDistrictBuilding。"I’vecalledfortheenvelopeyoutookfrommysafeearlythisevening，"
hebeganwithoutpreface，hardlywaitingforthelatter’ssurprisedgreeting。
"Why，Mr。Kent，Ileftitlyingontheporchtableattheclub，"
declaredFerguson。"Didn’tyoutakeit？"
"No。"Kent’sworriedexpressionreturned。"LikeafoolIforgottheenvelopewhenthatcheeringbrokeoutinthediningroomandrushedtofindoutwhatitwasabout;whenIreturnedtotheporchtheenvelopewasgone。
"Disappeared？"questionedFergusoninastonishment。
"Disappearedabsolutely;Isearchedtheporchthoroughlyandcouldn’tfindatraceofit，"Kentexplained。"AndinspiteofMcIntyre’scontentionthatitmighthaveblownoutofthewindow，Iamcertainitdidnot。"
"Thewindowswereopen，andIrecollecttherewasastrongdraught，"
remarkedFergusonthoughtfully。"Butnotsufficienttocarryawaythatenvelope。"
"Exactly。"Kentsteppedcloser。"Didyouobservewhichoneofourcompanionsstoodnearesttheporchtable？"
Fergusoneyedhimcuriously。"Say，areyouinsinuatingthatoneofthosepeopletookyourenvelope？"
"Yes。"
AsubduedwhistleescapedFerguson。"Whatwasinthatenvelope。
Mr。Kent，"hedemanded，"tomakeitofanyvaluetothatbunch？"andasKentdidnotanswerimmediately，headded，"AreyousureithadnothingtodowithJimmieTurnbull’sdeathandPhilipRochester’sdisappearance？"
"Quitesure。"Kent’sgazedidnotwaverbeforehispenetratinglook。
"Ihavealreadytoldyouthattheenvelopecontainedoldloveletters，andIverynaturallydonotwishthemtofallintothehandsofColonelMcIntyre，thefatherofthegirlIhopetomarry。"
Fergusonsmiledunderstandingly。"Isee。FromwhatIknowofColonelMcIntyrethere’saverynarrow，naggingspiritconcealedunderhisfrankandengagingmanner;Iwishyoujoyofyourfuturefather—in—law，"andhechuckled。
"Thanks，"dryly。"Youhaven’tansweredmyquestionastowhostoodnearesttheporchtable，Ferguson。"
Thedetectivelookedthoughtful。"Weallstoodfairlynear;perhapsMrs。Brewsterwasashadethenearest。Mr。Clymerwasofferingherachairwhenthatnoisecamefromthediningroom。There’sonethingIamwillingtoswearto"—hismannergrewmoreearnest—"thatenvelopewasstilllyingonthetablewhenIhustledintothediningroom。"
"Well，whowasthelastpersontoleavetheporch？"Kentdemandedeagerly。
"Idon’tknow，"wasthedisappointinganswer。"Ireachedthedooratthesamemomentyoudidandpassedrightaroundthediningroomtogetaviewofwhatwasgoingon。IthoughtIwouldtakeasquintatthetablesandseeiftherewasanywinebeingused，"headmitted。
"Buttherewasnothingdoinginthatline。ThenMr。ClymerofferedtobringmedowntoHeadquarters，andIlefttheclubwithhim。"
Kenttookaturnabouttheroom。"DidMr。ClymergototheCosmosClub？"heasked，pausingbythedetective。
"No，IheardhimtellhischauffeurtodrivetotheSaratoga。Wanttousethetelephone？"observingKent’sglancestraytotheinstrument。
BywayofanswerKenttookoffthereceiverandaftergivinganumbertoCentral，herecognizedClymer’svoiceoverthetelephone。
"Thatyou，Mr。Clymer？Yes，well，thisisKentspeaking。CanyoutellmewhowasthelastpersontoleavetheporchwhenColoneldeGeofroymadehisfarewellspeechto—nightattheclub？"
"Iwas，"cameClymer’ssurprisedanswer。
"IwaitedforMcIntyretopickupMrs。Brewster’sfan。"
"Didhetakemyletteroffthetablealso？"calledKent。
"Why，no。"Clymer’svoicetestifiedtohisincreasedsurprise。
"Mrs。BrewsterdroppedherfanrightinthedoorwayjustasMcIntyreandIapproached;webothstoopedtogetitand，likefools;bumpedourheadstogetherintheact。Hegotthefan，however，andI
waitedforhimtowalkintothediningroombeforefollowingMrs。
Brewster。"
"Asyoupassedthetable，Mr。Clymer，didyouseemyletterlyingonthetable？"persistedKent。
"UponmywordIneverlookedatthetable，"Clymer’sheartytonecarriedconviction。"Iwalkedrightalonginmyhurrytoknowwhatthecheeringwasabout。Iamsorry，Kent;haveyoumislaidyourletter？"
"Yes，"glumly。"Sorrytohavedisturbedyou，Mr。Clymer;goodnight，"andClymer’sechoing，"Goodnight"soundedfaintlyashehungupthereceiver。
"Drewblank，"heannounced，turningtoFerguson。"Confoundyou，Ferguson;youbadnorighttotouchthepapersinmysafe。Ifharmcomesfromit，I’llmakeyousuffer，"andnotwaitingforthedetective’sjumbledapologiesandexplanations，hehurriedfromthebuilding。Butonceonthesidewalkhepausedforthought。McIntyremusthavepickedupthewhiteenvelope，therewasnootherfeasibleexplanationofitsdisappearance。Butwhathadattractedhisattentiontotheenvelope—theredsealwiththebigletter"B"
wasitsonlyidentifyingmark。IfHelenhadonlytoldhimthecontentsoftheenvelope！
Kentstruckhisclenchedfistinhislefthandinwrath;somethingmustbedone，hecouldnotstandthereallnight。Althoughitwasthroughnofaultofhisownthathehadlosttheenvelopeentrustedtohiscare，hewasstillresponsibletoHelenforitsdisappearance。Shemustbetoldthatitwasgone，howeverunpleasantthetask。
KentwalkedhastilyalongPennsylvaniaAvenueuntilhecametoadrugstorestillopen，andenteredthetelephonebooth。Hehadrecollectedthatthetwinshadabranchtelephoneintheirsittingroom;hewouldhavetochancetheirbeingawakeatthathour。
BarbaraMcIntyreturnedonherpillowandrubbedhersleepyeyes;
surelyshehadbeenmistakeninthinkingsheheardthetelephonebellringing。Evenasshelaystrivingtolisten，shedozedoffagain，toberudelyawakenedbyHelen’svoiceatherear。
"Babs！"cametheagitatedwhisper。"Theenvelope’sgone。"
"Gone！"Barbaraswungoutofbed。
"Gonewhere？"
"Fatherhasit。"
DownstairsinthelibraryMrs。BrewsterpausedonherentrancebythesideofapieceofcarvedVenetianfurnitureandlayinghercoronationscarfonit，sheexaminedawhiteenvelope—theredsealwasintact。
Atthesoundofapproachingfootstepssheraisedatrapdoorinthepieceoffurnitureandonlyherkeenearscaughtthefaintthudoftheenvelopeasitdroppedinside，thenwithahappy，tendersmilesheturnedtomeetColonelMcIntyre。