"When you got a lot of money and a grandson who hates you, you have to think of such things. Suppose, I thought, he should come out here drunk when I was sound asleep. I knew he had a latch key, and he might sneak up to my room before I could even get to the telephone. Or I was afraid he might hire somebody. You can buy men for that sort of work in New York. I tell you the more I thought of it the more I was sure he'd do something. You'd understand if you lived in this lonely place with all that money and nobody you wanted to will it to. I nearly sent for Howells right then. But if nothing had happened I'd have looked a fool." "I wanted you to send for a man," Katherine cried. Bobby leaned against the wall, repeating to himself the words of Maria's note which accused him of having made the very threat his grandfather had feared. "So," Blackburn rambled on, "I decided I wouldn't sleep in my room that night, and I picked out the least likely place for anybody to find me. I was more afraid of him than I was of the old room, but, as I've told you, the old room made me forget Master Robert." Robinson stepped to Bobby's side. "All along Howells was right. Tell me what you did with that evidence." Bobby turned away. Katherine tried to laugh. Graham beckoned to Robinson. "What's the use of bothering with evidence against a suspected murderer when the murdered man stands talking to you?" Robinson frowned helplessly. Paredes sprang to his feet. "You're taking too much for granted, Graham. There was a murder. Blackburn was killed. We've as many witnesses to that fact as we have that he's come back. This man who talks with us, accusing Bobby, may not stay. Have you thought of that? I have noticed something that makes me think it possible. I have been afraid to speak of it. But it makes me hesitate to say that this man is alive, as we understand life. We have to learn the nature of the forces we are dealing with, exactly how dangerous they are." They started at a sharp rap on the front door. "Now who?" the old man whined. "I wish you wouldn't look at me so. It makes me feel queer. You're all crazy." "It's probably Doctor Groom," Bobby said, and stepped to the door, opening it. It was Groom. The huge man walked in, struggling out of his coat. At first the others screened Silas Blackburn from him, but he acknowledged their strained attitudes, the excitement that still animated Paredes's face. "What's the matter with you?" he asked. "Found something, Mr. District Attorney?"