Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/217

AT THE FIREPLACE had already taken two lives and escaped unseen. Yet, revolver in hand, determined to search every nook and corner. I began with the front chambers, sounding their walls, testing their ﬂoors, and feeling my way about until convinced I had left no inch unexplored. Miss Dunn was in the third room visited, calling out in hysterical voice to my rap, begging to know what I wanted, yet urging me to leave her alone. She was so thoroughly frightened that, after ﬁnding her door locked, I endeavored to reassure her through the keyhole, but heard nothing in return but the girl's sobs. Satisfied that she was alone, I left her to her misery.

I searched two other rooms, including the one wherein I had found Navarre's body. This I knew was Jean's chamber, yet I was in no way surprised at not discovering her there, as the memory of the murder would be sufficient to keep her from venturing within. Yet everything I touched reminded me of her, especially the various accessories to a lady’s toilet on the dressing table, and the numerous garments hanging in the closet. However, I found nothing disturbed, and no evidence that any one had been there since the removal of the Lieutenant's body. My heart was beating rapidly as I came forth once more into the hall, and tried the door of the apartment opposite. It was locked, and I rapped softly. There was a rustle within, and Jean's voice:

"Who is it?"

"Lieutenant King. Will you speak with me a moment?"

I heard the lock turn, the door open creakingly, and [ 203 ]