ld of the chair before which it lay, and declared quite
confidently to the inspector:

"This is where I sat."

Naturally his glance and mine both flew to the opposite wall. A window
was before us of an unusual size and make. Unlike any which had ever
before come under my observation, it swung on a pivot, and, though shut
at the present moment, might very easily, when opened, present its huge
pane at an angle capable of catching reflections from some of the many
mirrors decorating the reception-room situated diagonally across the
hall. As all the doorways on this lower floor were of unusual width, an
open path was offered, as it were, for these reflections to pass, making
it possible for scenes to be imaged here which, to the persons involved,
would seem as safe from any one's scrutiny as if they were taking place
in the adjoining house.

As we realized this, a look passed between us of more than ordinary
significance. Pointing to the window, the inspector turned to a group of
waiters watching us from the other side of the room and asked if it had
been opened that evening.

The answer came quickly.

"Yes, sir,--just before the--the--"

"I understand," broke in the inspector; and, leaning over me, he
whispered: "Tell me again exactly what you thought you saw."

But I could add little to my former description. "Perhaps you can tell
me this," he kindly persisted. "Was the picture, when you saw it, on a
level with your eye, or did you have to lift your head in order to see
it?"

"It was high up,--in the air, as it were. That seemed its oddest
feature."

The inspector's mouth took a satisfied curve. "Possibly I might identify
the door and passage, if I saw them," I suggested.

"Certainly, certainly," was his cheerful rejoinder; and, summoning one
of his men, he was about to give some order, when his impulse changed,
and he asked if I could draw.

I assured him, in some surprise, that I was far from being an adept
in that direction, but that possibly I might manage a rough sketch;
whereupon he pulled a pad and pencil from his pocket and requested me
to make some sort of attempt to reproduce, on paper, my memory of this
passage and the door.

My heart was beating violently, and the pencil shook in my hand, but I
knew that it would not do for me to show any hesitation in fixing for
all eyes what, unaccountably to myself, continued to be perfectly plain
to my own. So I endeavored to do as he bade me, and succeeded