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288 Her voice trembled with eagerness. "Even the presence of your men about the house has not yet brought the realization home to me of—of the unspeakable crimes which have been committed; and yet I know it must be, so, and the horror of it is like a living presence. Have you a single clue?"

During the merest fraction of a second he hesitated; for her beseeching eyes seemed to hold his as if she would draw the truth from him in spite of his decision to keep his own counsel until the moment was at hand. Then he threw off the spell and replied gravely but steadily:

"No, Miss Meade. This is the most baffling case of my experience. I appreciate what the fear and suspense must be like to you all, but time alone can solve the problem."

There followed an hour of inaction torturing to the detective in his eagerness to precipitate the climax which he felt would bring success to crown the days during which he had wandered in darkness. At length Peters announced to those of the family who were able to repair to the dining-room that the belated luncheon was served, and Miss Meade, Rannie, and Gene descended.

Odell peeped into Richard Lorne's room to find him dozing peacefully, then hurried to Cissie Chalmers's door and knocked with subdued insistence.

Doctor Adams opened it and presented a face of mild inquiry. "You administered the opiate, Doctor?"

"Yes, but its effect will wear off in about an hour, I think," the physician responded nervously. "I really do not consider it wise to repeat the dose, but if you insist—"

"On the contrary. It is almost two, now. Would it be