"Only that she was a lifelong resident of Georgetown and a well-known character--known for her eccentricities, that is," responded McLean. "Her death has come as a great shock to Major Wallace and to me, Inspector." "When did you see her last?" inquired Mitchell. His question was addressed to both men, but it was McLean who answered it after a moment's thought. "She was in my office on Friday." "Was she ill?" "No. For a woman of her age she was remarkably free from organic trouble," replied McLean. "In fact, she did not come to consult me about herself at all, but to ask for a tonic for her niece. By the way, where is Miss Kitty Baird?" At the question Wallace raised his head and eyed the surgeon intently for a second, then dropped his eyes as the other felt his gaze and turned toward him. "Where is Miss Kitty Baird?" Mitchell repeated the surgeon's question. "Blessed if I know." "What!" McLean started from the chair where he had seated himself a moment before. "Do you mean to say that Miss Kitty Baird is not in her bedroom?" "I do." Mitchell shook a puzzled head. "And she isn't in any part of the house. My men and I have searched it thoroughly. We found only the dead woman in the house and a live Angora cat." McLean stared at the inspector in dumbfounded amazement. A gurgling sound from the sofa caused him to look at Wallace. The major, with purpling face, was struggling to undo his collar. "Air! Air!" he gasped, and before the surgeon could spring to his aid, he sank back unconscious against the sofa pillows. CHAPTER III DETAILS Inspector Mitchell and Dr. McLean watched the taxicab, in which rode Major Leigh Wallace and Coroner Penfield, until it passed out of sight on its way to Washington, before re�ntering the Baird mansion. "Major Wallace seems in bad shape," commented Mitchell, as they crossed the hall toward the library. "I thought you would never bring him back to consciousness, Doctor." "This library wasn't a pleasant sight for well man to encounter, Mitchell, let alone a man in the major's condition," replied McLean. "The results of shell-shock do not exactly prepare a man for this--" and with a wave of his hand the surgeon indicated the tea table and the throne-shaped chair where Miss Baird's body had lain on their entrance three quarters of an hour before. "Eh, yes; but I should have thought the major's experiences overseas would have accustomed him to gruesome scenes." Mitchell paused in front of the porti�res and adjusted them carefully so that they completely covered the doorway. "Walking into a room and finding a friend lying dead is a shock, regardless of any past experience," responded McLean dryly. "Did Major Wallace know Miss Baird well?" inquired Mitchell. "Know her well?" repeated McLean. "Yes, and her niece, Kitty Baird, even better, if rumor speaks truly."