“We told the attendant we knew him, to get into the box. We could see from the hall that something was amiss with him.” “How could you? Hadn’t he a mask on?” “Yes, but we had discovered his identity early in the evening.” “Indeed? You will forgive my asking, but what made you take so much interest in this man whom you say you knew only by sight?” Preston hesitated. Then he said awkwardly: “Nothing in particular.” “Oh, come,” the doctor exclaimed, “you must have had a reason. Nobody tries to discover who disguised people are for no reason. You had better tell me.” “Why do you want to know?” “Well, as you put it that way, I had better tell you there are one or two curious features surrounding this man’s death. On the face of it he would appear to have died of natural causes, but certain points tend to dispel that theory. For instance, _rigor mortis_ would not have set in so quickly had death been due to natural causes, such as stoppage of the heart’s action. There will have to be an inquest.” The authorities having been notified of the occurrence, about half an hour later Preston and Blenkiron, accompanied by the doctor, whose name was Johnson, returned to the hall. None of the revelers had as yet left, apparently, for the floor was as thronged with dancers as when they had been there last. “Point me out the box where he was found, will you?” Johnson said presently. “That is the one,” Blenkiron replied, indicating it, “next to the box with the woman with scarlet plumes.” “There are people in it now,” Johnson observed. “Do you know who they are? Why, one of them is that snake woman everybody has been talking about.” “We are under the impression, though we don’t know for certain,” Preston replied guardedly, “that the snake woman is Mrs. Mervyn-Robertson herself, and that the man talking to her is called Stapleton.” “Do you mean Aloysius Stapleton, the organizer of this ball?” “Yes.” “Well, if Schomberg was one of their party they apparently have not heard what has happened, and somebody ought to tell them.” “Hadn’t you better tell them, Doctor Johnson?” “I suppose I must. And as you and your friend rendered ‘first aid’ you had better come with me to confirm my statements.” Jessica and the woman and the three men with them still wore their masks, though some of the dancers had now discarded theirs. When Doctor Johnson and his companions were admitted to the box, Jessica and her friends were in the highest spirits. Jessica herself was laughing loudly, while two of the men had become uproarious. The doctor had sent in his card and asked if he might speak to Mrs. Mervyn-Robertson alone, but she had sent out word that he had better come into the box. “Mrs. Mervyn-Robertson, I believe?” he said, addressing her.