A quiver in the eyelashes told me that this was the information my chief had been expecting to receive. But his tone showed no animation when he spoke. “In that case I dare say Miss Neobard may be right about the drugs. However, I must ask you to be good enough to let me have Dr. Weathered’s keys.” The mother was evidently divided between fear of us and fear of her daughter to whom she appealed with another helpless look. “By what right do you ask for them, Sir Frank? My mother is not entitled to give up her husband’s keys without his consent. He may be back at any moment--and then you can ask him.” At last it was necessary to speak out. The girl’s position was perfectly right if she was ignorant of her step-father’s fate. “I am deeply sorry to be the bearer of bad news,” Tarleton said to the widow. “I’m afraid you must prepare yourself to hear the worst.” He paused for a moment. The ready tears that began to stream from the poor woman’s eyes showed that she had not been altogether unprepared, and the swift flash of silent exultation in her daughter’s told plainly who it was that had prepared her. I was pleased to see her throw a caressing arm round her mother’s neck before she spoke again. “You mean that Dr. Weathered is dead?” “A body has been found on certain premises in Chelsea which there is reason to fear is his. It is part of our business here to find someone to come round and identify him.” A moan from the widow drew her daughter’s arm more tightly round her. She thrust her free hand into a pocket and drew out a bunch of keys. “Take these. And excuse me. I must take my mother to her room. I will come back in a few minutes and go round with you to the Club.” I was quick to open the door as the strange girl supported her mother out of the room. I had no sooner closed it again than my chief repeated her last words. “The Club!--I fancy that young woman could tell us a good deal about her step-father if she chose. And now!” He stepped towards the safe, found the right key, and threw open the door. “What do you say has been taken, Cassilis?” There could be no doubt as to the answer, although I went through the form of looking carefully inside before I gave it. It was the doctor’s case-book that was missing, the book containing the secrets of the women. CHAPTER V DR. WEATHERED’S PATIENTS My chief made a swift search through the safe. The cash drawers were empty, and he gave me a significant nod. “Miss Sarah has been through the safe since the policeman left. A remarkable girl that, Cassilis! How did she come to know of the Domino Club?” I was as little able to answer the question as he was. Still, I had formed a vague theory in my own mind. “She rather gave me the impression of hating her step-father on her mother’s account,” I threw out. “Mightn’t she have watched him on her mother’s behalf?”