"Is that so!" he exclaimed thoughtfully. "That puts a somewhat different complexion on the matter." "It does. Why was Sinclair Spencer gallivanting about this house in his stocking feet?" Foster played with his watch chain. "Upon my word, I don't know," he replied at last. "Well, you might hazard a guess." But Foster's only answer was a negative shake of his head. "Pshaw! use your imagination--suppose Spencer was unduly inquisitive about Winslow's invention--" "Stop, Kiametia!" Foster held up a warning hand. "You are treading on dangerous ground. Be sure of your facts before suggesting that a man of Winslow's known integrity is involved in--murder." "How you men do jump at conclusions," grumbled Miss Kiametia. "I believe Julie, the maid, killed Spencer because she found him snooping around where he had no business to be." "Why should the maid play watchdog?" "Because she's French, stupid; and I believe, firmly believe, Sinclair Spencer was in the pay of Germany. Both he and the maid were after Winslow's invention, one to steal, the other to protect." "You have astonishing theories." Foster leaned back and regarded her in silence, then resumed, "Suppose you give me an exact account of what transpired this morning." He listened with rapt attention to the spinster's graphic description of the finding of Kathleen and Sinclair Spencer in the elevator. "Strange, very strange," he muttered, as she brought the recital to an end. "How did Kathleen come to enter the elevator without seeing its occupant?" "You take it for granted that Spencer was dead at that time?" asked the spinster. A look of horror crept into Foster's eyes. "Kiametia, what do you mean to insinuate? Your question implies--" "Nothing," hastily. "I only want you, with your sane common sense, to kill an intolerable doubt. Kathleen cannot--_cannot_ know anything of this crime." "If you doubt, why not ask Kathleen how and when she came to be in the elevator with Spencer's dead body?" "Kathleen is still under the effects of the opiate, and you heard what Winslow said a few minutes ago about her behavior before the physician's arrival." "Don't worry." Foster laid a soothing hand on hers. "Kathleen's condition is not surprising under the circumstances; the shock of finding Spencer's dead body was quite enough to produce hysteria and irrational conduct. When herself, her explanations will clear up the mystery. Therefore, why harbor a doubt of her innocence?" "If you had seen the expression of her eyes," exclaimed Miss Kiametia. "It betrayed more than shock and horror. If ever I saw mental anguish depicted, a naked soul in torment, I saw it then. God help the child!" She paused and stared at Foster. "Why should Kathleen betray such emotion? Sinclair Spencer was less than nothing to her." "He was very attentive," said Foster slowly. "I have even heard it reported last fall that they were engaged."