of his pistol yet more inflexibly steady
than before.

More clearly still did Dunn realize that the faintest breath of
suspicion stirring in the other's mind that he knew of what was hidden
in the attic would mean certain death and just such another neat little
hole bored through heart or brain as that he had seen showing in the
forehead of his dead friend.

"Haven't you, though?" Deede Dawson repeated. "The bedrooms--the
attics--that's all?"

"Yes, sir, that's all, take my oath that's all," Dunn repeated
earnestly, as if he wished very much to impress on his captor that he
had searched bedrooms and attics thoroughly, but not these downstairs
rooms.

Deede Dawson was plainly puzzled, and for the first time a little doubt
seemed to show in his hard grey eyes.

Dunn perceived that a need was on him to know for certain whether his
dreadful secret had been discovered or not.

Until he had assured himself on that point Dunn felt comparatively safe,
but he still knew also that to allow the faintest suspicion to dawn in
Deede Dawson's mind would mean for him instant death.

He saw, too, watching very warily and ready to take advantage of any
momentary slip or forgetfulness, how steady was Deede Dawson's hand, how
firm and watchful his eyes.

With many men, with most men indeed, Dunn would have seized or made some
opportunity to dash in and attack, taking the chance of being shot
down first, since there are few indeed really skilled in the use of a
revolver, the most tricky if the most deadly of weapons.

But he realized he had small hope of taking unawares this fat little
smiling man with the unsmiling eyes and steady hand, and he was well
convinced that the first doubtful movement he made would bring a bullet
crashing through his brain.

His only hope was in delay and in diverting suspicion, and Deede
Dawson's voice was very soft and deadly as he said:

"So you've been looking in the bedrooms, have you? What did you find
there?"

"Nothing, sir, not a thing," protested Dunn. "I didn't touch a thing,
I only wanted to look round before coming down here to see about the
silver."

"And the attics?" asked Deede Dawson. "What did you find there?"

"There wasn't no one in them," Dunn answered. "I only wanted to make
sure the young lady was telling the truth about there being no servants
in the house to sleep."

"Did you look in all the attics, then?" asked Deede Dawson.

"Yes," answered Dunn. "'There was one as