Robinson whistled. "Didn't believe you had that much nerve. Two men have tried that. What good would it do?" "If the answer's anywhere," Bobby said, "it must be hidden in that room. Howells felt it. I was sure of it when I was prevented from taking the evidence. You've believed it, I think." "There is something strange and unhealthy about the room," Robinson agreed. "Certainly the secret of the locked doors lies there. But we've had sufficient warning. I'm not ashamed to say I wouldn't take such a chance. I don't know that I ought to let you." Bobby smiled. "I've been enough of a coward," he said, "and, Robinson, I've got to know. I shan't go near the bed. I'll watch the bed from a corner. If the danger's at the bed, as we suspect, it probably won't be able to reach me, but just the same it may expose itself. And Rawlins or you can be outside the broken door in the corridor, waiting to enter at the first alarm." "Howells had no chance to give an alarm," Robinson muttered. "We'll see later." But Bobby understood that he would agree, and he forced his new courage to face the prospect. "Maybe something will turn up," Robinson mused. "The case can't grow more mysterious indefinitely." But his tone held no assurance. He seemed to foresee new and difficult complications. When they returned to the hall Bobby shrank from the picture of his grandfather still crouched by the fire, his shoulders twitching, his fingers about the black briar pipe shaking. Groom alone had remained with him. Bobby opened the front door. There was no one in the court. "Paredes," he said, closing the door, "has gone out of the court. Where's Katherine, Doctor?" "She went to the kitchen," the doctor rumbled. "I'm sure I don't know what for this time of night." After a little Graham and Rawlins came down the stairs. Graham's face was scarred by fresh trouble. Rawlins drew the district attorney to one side. "What have you two been doing up there?" Bobby asked Graham. "Rawlins is hard-headed," Graham answered in a low, worried tone. He wouldn't meet Bobby's eyes. He seemed to seek an escape. "Where's Katherine?" he asked. "Doctor Groom says she went to the back part of the house. Why won't you tell me what you were doing?" "Only keeping Rawlins from trying to make more mischief," Graham answered. He wouldn't explain. "Aren't there enough riddles in this house?" Doctor Groom asked with frank disapproval. Rawlins and Robinson joined them, sparing Graham a further defence. The district attorney had an air of fresh resolution. He was about to speak when the front door opened quietly, framing the blackness of the court. They started forward, seeing no one. Silas Blackburn made a slow, shrinking movement, crying out: "They've opened the door! Don't let them in. Don't let them come near me again."