Page:Waylaid by Wireless - Balmer - 1909.djvu/221

Rh the noise woke me, and a moment later, as my daughter passed through, she turned on the light, and I remember distinctly commenting upon the time. It was ten minutes after twelve, was it not, Ethel?" She turned to the girl for confirmation.

"Yes; it was precisely ten minutes after twelve," the girl replied evenly, "when I came into your room."

Again young Preston started; but as he glanced about the others, he checked himself with an effort.

"That is quite sufficient, I fancy, is it not, Inspector?" Mr. Brookingdale put in.

"Quite, sir!" the officer bowed in respectful apology. "It is quite—quite incomprehensible still in some ways, I must say, sir,"—the man looked about and moved out reluctantly,—"but we are glad to have ourselves set right about this young gentleman. We ask your pardon very sincerely, Mr. Preston." He bowed to the American and withdrew.

Young Preston returned the bow blankly 197