I understand both detectives
agree that it had nothing to do with the murder, because the door was
locked by the butler, who discovered it unlocked, fully an hour before
the murder was committed. If Hazel Rath had attempted to escape that way
she would have been caught in a _cul-de-sac_, for we rushed upstairs
from the dining-room immediately we heard the scream."

"Did you search the back staircase?"

"Almost immediately. It was empty."

"And there is no doubt that the door at the bottom was locked?"

"None whatever--one of the young men tried it."

"What time did the butler make his discovery?"

"Shortly before dinner. I do not know the exact time."

"Thank you. Now, if you will excuse me, I should like to see the room
Mrs. Heredith occupied. Is it empty?"

"Yes. The wing has been unoccupied since the night of the murder. Shall
I show you the way up?"

"It will not be necessary. I know the way, and I shall be there some
time."

"In that case I will leave you till lunch-time," responded Musard, as he
walked away.

Colwyn did not go upstairs immediately. He took a solitary walk in the
woods, thinking over everything that Musard had told him. Then he
returned to the house and mounted the staircase to the left wing. His
first act was to make a thorough examination of the unused back
staircase at the end of the corridor. Then he entered the bedroom Mrs.
Heredith had occupied.

The room had the forlorn appearance of disuse. The bed had been partly
stripped, and the tall-backed chairs, in prim linen covers, looked like
seated ghosts with arms a-kimbo. Colwyn's first act was to draw the
heavy window curtains and open the window. He then commenced an
examination of the room in the morning sunlight.

His examination was long and thorough, but it brought nothing to light
which added to his knowledge of the events of the murder. The time went
on, and he was still engrossed in his scrutiny when the door opened and
Phil entered the room.

CHAPTER XVII

"Lunch is waiting," said the young man. "My aunt thought that you did
not hear the gong, so I came up to tell you."

"Miss Heredith was right--I did not hear it. I am sorry if I have kept
you waiting. I have been so busy that I forgot the passing of time."

If Phil felt any curiosity as to the matters which had engaged Colwyn's
attention in the room where his wife had been murdered, he did not
express it in words.

"My aunt will show you over the moat-