I saw that the first thing! cried Pauline, excitedly; and there was a she stopped, looking in amazement at the white dust on the floor. For where she had seen a distinct footprint, as of a stockinged foot, there was now merely a blurred whirl! Some one had obliterated that footprint!
A what? asked the doctor, sharply.
Nothing. A a lot of powder spilled, I was going to say.
Gray Haviland looked at her. Tell the truth, Pauline, he said.
I have, she replied, with a calm quite equalling his own. Must we have the Coroner, Dr. Stanton?
Yes, yes, of course; I will telephone at once. There will be police and detectives, oh, it is a terrible case! Nothing must be touched, nothing! If there is any clue to this mystery, do not let it be disturbed.
But you say it was without doubt a burglar who did it, said Anita, her wide eyes gleaming blue.
It must have been.
Then why were none of her jewels stolen?
Bless my soul! and Dr. Stanton looked as if a bomb had exploded at his feet. Sure enough! It cannot have been a burglar! Who, then? What other motive than robbery
It was a burglar, declared Pauline, and he was he was frightened away by by a noise or something
Not likely! said Anita, with all those gems in easy reach!
The Coroner and the police must get here at once! and the doctor wiped his perspiring brow. Never have I seen such an inexplicable state of affairs! Was was Miss Carrington indisposed at all last evening? Did she say or do anything unusual?
Not at all, began Pauline, but Anita interrupted; Yes, she did! She said, You little know whats going to happen to me! To-morrow you may sing another tune!
What did she mean by that?
Ive no idea. Could it mean suicide?
No! thundered the doctor; her skull was fractured by some one bent on wilful murder! As there is no robbery, we must look for a deeper motive and a cleverer villain than any professional burglar!
IV
A PAPER SNAKE
On the third floor was the bedroom of the maid, Estelle, and before its locked door stood Pauline and Anita, demanding admittance. There was no response from inside, until Pauline said sternly, Unless you open this door at once, Estelle, the police will force it open.
The key turned, the door moved slowly ajar, and Estelles face appeared, wearing an expression of amazement.
What is it you say, Miss Pauline? The police? Why?
The maid was making a very evident effort to appear composed, and was succeeding wonderfully well. Her eyes were reddened with weeping, a condition which a hasty dabbing of powder had not concealed. She was nervously trembling, but her air of injured innocence, if assumed, was admirable.
Estelle, and Pauline loomed tall and magnificent as an accusing angel, what do you know of your mistress death?
Estelle gave a shriek and threw herself on her bed in apparent hysterics.
Dont begin that! ordered Pauline, sit up here and tell the truth.
But, and the maid sat up, sobbing, I know nothing. How can I?
Nonsense! You took the tea-tray to her at eight oclock. What did you see?
Estelle shrugged her shoulders. I saw Miss Carrington sitting before her mirror. She, I assumed, was engrossed in reverie, so I set down the tray on a tabouret and departed.
You noticed nothing amiss? said Anita, staring at the girl.
No; I scarce looked at the lady. She reproved me harshly last night, and I had no wish to annoy her. I set down the tray with haste and silently departed.
You set it down? Who, then, overturned it?
Overturned? Is it then upset? Estelles manner was the impersonal one of the trained servant, who must show surprise at nothing, but it was a trifle overdone.
Estelle, stop posing. Wake up to realities. Miss Carrington is dead! Do you hear? Dead!
Ah! Mon Dieu! Did it then kill her? and Estelles calm gave way and she screamed and moaned in wild hysterics.
What can we do with her? asked Anita, helplessly; she must know all about the the
The murder, said Pauline calmly. But she will tell us nothing. It is useless to question her. The Coroner will attend to it, anyway.
The Coroner, and Anita looked frightened. Will he question all of us?
Of course he will. And, Anita, Pauline whirled on her suddenly, what are you going to say was the errand that took you to Aunt Lucys room after one oclock last night?
I! Nothing of the sort! I was not in her room after we left it together.
I saw you. Dont trouble to deny it, and Pauline dropped her eyelids as one bored by a conversation.
You did! and Anitas flower face turned rosy pink and her blue eyes blazed with an intensity that Paulines dark ones could never match. Be careful, Pauline Stuart, or I shall tell what I know! You dare to make up such a story! It was I who saw you come from your aunts room at a late hour! What have you to say now?
Nothing to you, and Pauline swept from the room and returned slowly down the stairway to the second floor.
The sight of two police officers in the hall gave her a sudden start. How had they appeared, so soon? And how dreadful to see them in the palatial home that had heretofore housed only gentle-mannered aristocrats and obsequious liveried servants! The men looked ill at ease as they stood against the rich background of tapestry hangings and tropical palms, but their faces showed a stern appreciation of their duty, and they looked at Pauline with deferential but acute scrutiny.
Not noticing them in any way, the girl, her head held high, went straight to her aunts room. Sergeant Flake was in charge, and he refused her admission.
Coroners orders, maam, he said; hell be here himself shortly, and then you can see him.
Come away, Pauline, and Haviland appeared and took her by the arm; wheres Anita?
I left her in Estelles room. Oh Gray, that girl
Hush! and gripping her firmly, Haviland led her to a small sitting room and shut the door. Now listen, Pauline; mind what I say. Dont give the least bit of information or express the slightest notion of opinion except to the chief authorities. And not to them until they ask you. This is a terrible affair, and a mighty strange one.
Who did it, Gray?
Never you mind. Dont even ask questions. The very walls have ears!
Who upset that breakfast tray?
Estelle, of course.
She says she didnt.
She lies. Everybody will lie; why, Pauline, you must lie yourself.
I wont do it! I have no reason to!
You may find that you have. But, at least, Pauline, I beg of you, that you will keep your mouth shut. There will be developments soon, there must be, and then we will know what to do.
The two returned to the boudoir. At first glance it seemed to be full of men. The beautiful room, with its ornate but harmonious furnishings and appointments of the Marie Antoinette period, was occupied with eager representatives of the law and justice hunting for any indication of the ruthless hand that had felled the owner of all that elegance.
Coroner Scofield was receiving the report of Doctor Moore, who had arrived with him.