\"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。