"There's nothing I can do for her now, except to quiet her," Carl said finally. "She needs sleep. A sedative, and perhaps we can get her mind back to normal." Under Carl's care, Ruth was soon asleep; although her body convulsed with sudden spasms of fear that came even through her slumber, as if she were defending herself from unseen demons who were dragging her away. Gently closing the door of her bedroom, he returned to talk with Chadwick. While Carl had been inducing her to sleep, Chadwick had discovered a small necklace upon the carpet. It looked as if it had been torn from someone's throat with great violence. "Ever see this before?" Chadwick held the glittering pendant out to Carl. "Why, yes. Ruth was wearing it last night. It is something new she picked up." "No, nothing new about this." Chadwick shook his head. "This is the symbol of Moonerism. I've seen them before. Never this close, however. Notice the pendant?" For the first time, Carl observed the pendant closely. It was oval, about two inches and a half long, about an inch and a half wide, and apparently of some onyx-like substance. It glowed with an unearthly, blue-black light, faint but perceptible. At the upper side, and a little to the right, a small glittering stone was set; a stone that glowed as if it were imbued with some cruel, radiant life. From this stone, a thin line of light traced downward to the lower center of the oval, where another and larger stone was set. When the thin line of light reached this second sphere, it grew brighter and engulfed it in a consuming glow. "Feel this thing," Chadwick said, handing it to Carl. "Why, it's cold as ice!" Carl gasped. "Wonder what that design means?" Chadwick took the necklace back again. "You know, Doc, it looks to me as if the Countess Moonard is going to be thoroughly investigated this time. As soon as Ruth awakens, we must try to get more information from her. No doubt she was hypnotized. But this old man she speaks of----" "I know who she means. I'll tell you about him; but first, I want to take another look at her. I think I had better get a nurse, and----" Carl was moving to the bedroom as he spoke. When he opened the door, he let out a cry: "She's gone!" "What!" Inspector Chadwick made his way to the door in two leaps. A hasty search of the room and the adjoining bath revealed nothing. The open window with the curtains blowing lazily was their only clue. "Kidnapped!" whistled Chadwick. "Now this _is_ a case for Scotland Yard. Come on; we're going to pay a visit to the Countess." They were hurrying for the door when the telephone in the hallway began ringing. "Answer it." Chadwick turned upon his heels. "May be important."