"Then please describe more fully the man who struck the blow." Again Orienta's eyes fastened themselves on the big armchair. "I see him clearly," she said, clasping her hands in her tense concentration, "but his back is toward me as he bends over his victim." "How is he dressed?" "I cannot quite tell. His figure is vague. His clothes seem merely a dark shadow against the light." "Does it seem to be evening dress?" "It may be. I cannot say, surely." "At any rate, it is not the rough dress of a tramp or burglar?" "No,--not that, I think." "He is not masked?" "No." "You say he is dark? Pardon me, Madame, but it is my duty to get these details." "Yes, his hair, as I see it, is dark." "And he has a round, smooth-shaven face?" Roberts spoke eagerly, as if he had in mind a distinct personality. "No," said Orienta slowly. "No, he has a long, thin face----" "Can you see his face, then?" Bobsy fairly shot out the words. "Not his face, but an indication of his profile----" "Then is he clean-shaven?" "No, he wears a beard." "Oh. A dark beard? A heavy one?" "Dark, yes. But not heavy." "Pointed or full?" "Somewhat pointed--ah, he has turned away. I cannot tell." "Is he wearing a hat? But, no, you see his hair." "I see no hat." "Is there a hat on the table? On a chair?" "I cannot tell. The vision fades." "Let up, Roberts," said Barry. "We are sure now the man was an intruder. Let it go at that. If you can find such a one, it won't matter whether he had a hat or not." "It is important," insisted Bobsy. "Now, Madame Orienta, tell us again of his actions. Even if the vision has faded, tell from your memory what he did. You saw him when he crossed the room toward the hall door. It was light then?" "Yes. He moved swiftly, straight to the electric switch, and pressed it. Then I could see no more." "Of course not. But you heard his steps returning, you said." "Yes, he went stealthily, but I heard him feel his way by the furniture and walls." "And at the same time you heard a sound from Mr. Stannard?" "Yes, a sort of gasp or groan." "Right. It was this, then, that attracted the attention of Mrs. Stannard and Miss Vernon, and they entered at about the same time?" "So far as I can judge. They were both there when the lights re-appeared." "And in that brief instant the man had slipped past one of them and escaped." "That is as the vision revealed it." "Only one more question. Past which woman did he go?" "I cannot say. I merely heard a quick footstep at that end of the room." "It couldn't have been past Miss Vernon," said Bobsy. "She was too near the door, according to her own account. And I don't see how he could have passed Mrs. Stannard, as there was a low light in the Billiard Room, and she must have seen him pass."