"That only makes matters worse," said Stone patiently. "Listen to me. This is your only chance to save Bates' life. If I go to the police with what I know, they will convict him of the murder beyond all doubt. If you tell me what I ask,--I think, I hope, between us, we can prove that he did not do it." "But didn't he?" and Estelle looked up with hope dawning in her eyes. "_I_ think not. Now there's no time to waste. Tell me what I ask or you will lose your chance to do so. You opened the living-room window for Bates to come in, at about three o'clock?" "Yes," admitted the girl. "And went down and closed and fastened it at----" "Five o'clock," came in lowest tones. "Not knowing that Miss Carrington was dead?" "Oh, _No_!" "For Bates went there only to steal the jewels?" "Yes." "And so, when you took the breakfast tray, and found the lady--as you did find her--you were frightened out of your wits, and dropped the tray?" "Yes." "And so, to shield Bates, who you thought had killed her, you lied right and left, even trying to incriminate Miss Stuart?" "Yes, sir." "Have you seen Bates since?" "No, sir." "And until now you have thought he killed your mistress?" "I didn't know." "Another thing, Estelle; you put bromide in the glass of milk in order that Miss Carrington might sleep soundly, and not hear Bates come in?" "She didn't drink that milk!" "But you fixed it, thinking she would?" "Yes." "That's all. Come on, Hardy." and somewhat unceremoniously, Stone took leave, and made for the nearest telephone station. After that, matters whizzed. Stone had called the Police Headquarters and asked that an officer be sent with a warrant for the arrest of Bates. "How do you know where he is?" asked Hardy, nearly bursting with curiosity. "I'm not sure, but at least I know where to start looking for him," Stone replied, as the two went back the way they had come. Stone stopped at the boarding-house he had noticed on the way to the sanatorium, and rang the bell. Sure enough, Bates lived there and Bates was at home. At Stone's first questions he broke down and confessed to the assault with the black-jack. "But I didn't kill her!" he cried, "she was already dead! Oh, my God! can I ever forget those terrible, staring eyes! The saints forgive me! I was half crazy. There she was, dead, and yet smiling and happy looking! Oh, sir, what does it all mean?" XIII BATES, THE BURGLAR Brought before the magistrate, Bates told a coherent though amazing story.