"You are mad!" exclaimed Kitty. "My revolver is here in my desk." Springing up she hastened to her antique secretary and pulled open one of the drawers. It was empty. "The revolver was here yesterday," she cried. "And last night in Ted's car," reiterated Potter, with stubborn temper. "Your revolver--and one chamber had been recently discharged and Ted Rodgers nearly killed." As his words echoed across the hall Miss Gray, the trained nurse, closed the bedroom door and turned to look at her patient. With feeble strength he struggled upright. "Bring me my clothes," Ted Rodgers gasped, as she hurried to his side. CHAPTER XXI MOUCHETTE, THE SEVEN-TOED When Nina Potter re�ntered the library a few minutes later she found Charles Craige playing with the Angora cat, Mouchette. With a word of greeting she moved over to the fire and held out her hands before the blaze. Craige, who had risen at sight of her, observed her effort to avoid his gaze. "I feel chilled," she confessed, and a shiver shook her from head to foot. "You have a bad cold," Craige remarked. "Was it wise to linger in the garden--?" Nina, intent on her own thoughts, never noticed the gravity of his manner. "Perhaps not," she admitted absently. "I should have remembered my coat. Where is Kitty?" "Upstairs, I imagine. Your husband went to find her." "Ben!" Nina whirled around. "Ben--here?" "Look out, you will scorch yourself," Craige stepped hastily toward her. "Don't stand so near the fire." "I am in no danger--" but Nina drew away from the fireplace with a paler face. "How long have you been in the library, Mr. Craige?" "About ten minutes." "Was Ben here with you?" "I found him here when I arrived. Do sit down, Mrs. Potter, you look utterly fagged," and Craige wheeled forward a chair. As she still remained standing he started to remonstrate, but the words died on his lips as Kitty came into the room, followed by Ben Potter. "Thank heaven you are here," she cried, running to her godfather's side. "You will bring Ben to his senses." Potter walked up to them, his eyes ablaze with anger. "I've told her a few plain truths," he stated. His truculent manner made anything but an agreeable impression on Craige, who viewed him with contempt. He had no use for bullies. "Stop shouting, Ben," he remarked cuttingly. "You forget you are addressing your cousin and your wife." Nina moved slightly to one side and looked at her husband. Upon his entrance she had shrunk behind Craige. The movement had been instinctive. "Why are you so excited, dear?" she asked, timidly. Potter avoided her gaze and addressed Craige. "I'm tired of mysteries," he declared. "First, Cousin Susan is murdered, brutally murdered, poor old lady; then my friend, Ted Rodgers, is shot while driving in his own car with Kitty--and Kitty's revolver, with one chamber discharged, is found in the car. Damn it!" His teeth clenched together. "It's time the police took action."