Page:Burton Stevenson--The marathon mystery.djvu/141



ELL," I said, at last, “it seems to me we’re weaving a pretty strong chain about our friend Tremaine. But why should he have waited this long to look for the diamond?”

“Perhaps he’s just discovered its loss,” suggested Godfrey.

“Or perhaps this is the first opportunity he’s had. I’ve never before left him alone here, and I keep the snap on so that the door locks itself whenever it’s closed.”

Godfrey sat for a full minute motionless, his eyes fixed on the door.

“Of course,” he said, at last, “it may not have been the diamond he was looking for, though I can’t imagine what else it could be. But I’ve a theory I want to test. Suppose we take a look at your bedroom.”

I followed him in and turned up the light. He glanced around keenly, and went finally to the closet, which was almost opposite the door leading into the sitting-room. He entered the closet and closed the door behind him. After a moment, I heard a scraping noise, and perceived a knife-blade working back and forth in a crack of the door. Finally the blade was withdrawn, the door opened, and Godfrey came