I did my best to repress a smile, and succeeded in turning it into a yawn. After all, there was no need to offend these fellows unnecessarily, and the chief was undoubtedly right in thinking me not entirely clear of suspicion. So Sherman and I went down the street together, in the grey light of the dawn--the second consecutive one that I had witnessed--and we rather astonished the night clerk at the Sheridan by mounting together to the room which was assigned to me. My guardian sat down against the door, after assuring himself that escape by the window was impossible. As for me, I tumbled into bed as quickly as I could and fell asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow. * * * * * I was awakened by some one roughly shaking me. I protested, fought against it, but in vain. At last I opened my eyes, and saw that my persecutor was Godfrey. "Come, Lester," he said, "you've been sleeping ten hours. It's time you were turning out." I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes. Then suddenly I remembered. "Where's my jailer?" I asked, looking at the empty chair by the door. "Oh, I cleared all that up. I didn't realise at first how suspicious our actions might seem, and how hard it would be to explain them." "It was lucky I didn't have to spend the night in jail," I laughed. "Are those my trousers?" "Yes; I had them cleaned--and they needed it. I had a hard time getting my special off--the operator took me for a tramp--and no wonder." "Were you in time?" "Oh, yes; and a lovely scoop it was. The town's full of special men, now, trying to work up the story." "And how are they succeeding?" "They're winding themselves up in the worst tangle you ever saw----" "But you----" "I'm tangled, too. That's one reason I woke you, Lester. I want to talk to you." "But surely," I said, "Lucy Kingdon can tell----" "Lucy Kingdon is delirious, threatened with brain fever. The whole affair is a deeper mystery than ever." CHAPTER XX An Appeal for Advice A cold plunge wiped away the last vestiges of sleepiness, and ten minutes later, I joined Godfrey in the dining-room, where he had ordered lunch for both of us, and where we could talk undisturbed, since we were its only occupants. "I've been up only a few minutes myself," he began as I sat down. "But I didn't get to bed till nearly noon. There was too much to do, this morning." "Tell me about it," I said. "I'm anxious to hear the developments." "There aren't any." "But you've cleared up the mystery of the murder?" "Cleared it up! My dear Lester, we haven't been able to take the first step toward clearing it up! We know the unknown was shot, but as to who shot him, and why, we're utterly at sea." "Once establish his identity----" "That's just what we can't do. But perhaps I'd better tell you the whole story." "Yes, do," I said. "That's what I want to hear."