"Shall we go against the doctors? They say that the blow was a left-handed one. Mr. Gryce, I would give anything for an hour spent with you in Mr. Adams's study, with Bartow free to move about at his will. I think we would learn more by watching him for a short space of time than in talking as we are doing for an hour." It was said tentatively, almost timidly. Miss Butterworth had some sense of the temerity involved in this suggestion even if, according to her own declaration, she had no curiosity. "I don't want to be disagreeable," she smiled. She was so far from being so that Mr. Gryce was taken unawares, and for once in his life became impulsive. "I think it can be managed, madam; that is, after the funeral. There are too many officials now in the house, and----" "Of course, of course," she acceded. "I should not think of obtruding myself at present. But the case is so interesting, and my connection with it so peculiar, that I sometimes forget myself. Do you think"--here she became quite nervous for one of her marked self-control--"that I have laid myself open to a summons from the coroner?" Mr. Gryce grew thoughtful, eyed the good lady, or rather her folded hands, with an air of some compassion, and finally replied: "The facts regarding this affair come in so slowly that I doubt if the inquest is held for several days. Meanwhile we may light on those two young people ourselves. If so, the coroner may _overlook_ your share in bringing them to our notice." There was a sly emphasis on the word, and a subtle humor in his look that showed the old detective at his worst. But Miss Butterworth did not resent it; she was too full of a fresh confession she had to make. "Ah," said she, "if they had been the only persons I encountered there. But they were not. Another person entered the house before I left it, and I may be obliged to speak of him." "Of him? Really, madam, you are a mine of intelligence." "Yes, sir," was the meek reply; meek, when you consider from whose lips it came. "I ought to have spoken of him before, but I never like to mix matters, and this old gentleman----" "Old gentleman!" "Yes, sir, very old and very much of a gentleman, did not appear to have any connection with the crime beyond knowing the murdered man." "Ah, but that's a big connection, ma'am. To find some one who knew Mr. Adams--really, madam, patience has its limits, and I must press you to speak." "Oh, I will speak! The time has come for it. Besides, I'm quite ready to discuss this new theme; it is very interesting." "Suppose we begin, then, by a detailed account of your adventures in this house of death," dryly suggested the detective. "Your full adventures, madam, with nothing left out." "I appreciate the sarcasm, but nothing has been left out except what I am about to relate to you. It happened just as I was leaving the house." "What did? I hate to ask you to be more explicit. But, in the interests of justice----"