what I went to the library last
night to find out."

"Did you discover anything?" The question shot from McIntyre, and both
Ferguson and Kent watched him as they waited for Grimes' reply. The
butler took his time.

"No, sir."

McIntyre threw himself back in his chair and his eyebrows rose in
interrogation as he touched his forehead significantly and glanced
at Grimes. That the butler caught his meaning was evident from his
expression, but he said nothing. The detective was the first to speak.

"Did you hear any one break into the house when you were prowling
around, Grimes?" he asked.

"No, sir."

The detective turned to Colonel McIntyre. "After finding Grimes did you
search the house?" he inquired.

"Yes. The patrolman, O'Ryan, and my new footman, Murray, went with me
through the entire house, and we found all doors and windows to the
front and rear of the house securely locked," responded McIntyre;
"except the window of the reception room on the ground floor. That was
closed but unlatched."

Kent wondered if the grimace which twisted the butler's face was meant
for a smile.

"That there window was locked when I went to bed," Grimes stated with
slow distinctness. "And I was the last person in this house to go to my
room."

McIntyre started to speak when Ferguson stopped him.

"Just let me handle this case," he said persuasively. "You have called
in the police," and as McIntyre commenced some uncomplimentary remark,
he added with sternness. "Don't interfere, sir. Now, Grimes, your
statements imply one of two things--some member of the household either
went downstairs after you had retired, and opened the window in the
reception room to admit the person who afterwards attacked you in
the library, or"--Ferguson paused significantly, "some member of this
household knocked you senseless in the library. Which was it?"

There was a tense silence. McIntyre, by an obvious effort, refrained
from speech as they waited for Grimes' answer.

"I dunno who hit me." Grimes avoided looking at the three men. "But some
one did, and that window in the reception room was locked when I went
upstairs to my bedroom after every one had retired. I'm telling you
God's truth, sir."

McIntyre eyed him in wrathful silence, then turned to his companions.

"The blow has knocked Grimes silly," he commented. "There is certainly
no motive for any of us to attack Grimes, nor has any trace of a weapon
been found such as must have been