Nick and Chick exchanged glances, and the latter almost immediately left the parlor, taking the direction of the orchard as soon as he was out of the house. Passing along the south side of the house, Chick came to a barrier of evergreens which shut out a view of the orchard from the front. Away to the left, however, there was a gate, and the detective turned toward it. As he moved along he heard voices on the other side of the hedge. He could not distinguish the words, but the voices were those of Anton and Bernice! Chick passed through the gate and walked around the rear of the house to the place where the ladder had been lifted to the roof of the lean-to, hoping to see the couple on the way. However, the voices ceased, and the young people were nowhere in sight. The doctor quitted the parlor shortly after Chick’s departure, and, thus left alone with Charley, Nick asked: “You said this morning that you are a light sleeper. How did you rest last night? Were you in your usual health when you awoke?” “No,” was the reply. “I had a frightful headache, and my stomach was in bad shape. It is seldom that I awake in bad condition. Perhaps I slept too soundly.” “Did you partake of food or drink after supper last night?” asked Nick. Charley looked the surprise he did not express. “Yes,” he said, in a moment, “it was a hot night, and we had ice cream and lemonade in the parlor.” “Who suggested it?” “I think I did.” “Who prepared it?” “Some one in the kitchen.” “Who served it?” “Bernice.” “How long did you remain awake after partaking of the cream and lemonade?” “Not very long. I was tired, and soon became sleepy and went off to bed.” Nick walked the floor for a moment. “I know what your questions mean,” said Charley excitedly. “You think I was drugged last night!” Nick made no reply. “I had thought of that,” continued Charley, “because of my unusual sleep, but had rejected the notion because every member of the family partook of the refreshments which were served, and because the suspicion seemed to point to some member of the family as the burglar and the murderer.” “Never mind that now,” said Nick. “Did you see much of Anton last night?” “Yes, he was with me until I retired.” “And Bernice?” “She was with my aunt in the sitting room the greater part of the evening.” “You do not know whether she retired early?” “Of course not. She usually does go to bed as soon as my aunt releases her from duty for the night, and aunt went to her room early last evening, before I did, in fact. Anton was the only one in the parlor when I left.” “Where was Bernice?” asked Nick. “She was somewhere about the house. I remember now that aunt did not require her services in her chamber.” “She might have been in bed?” “No, she was not, for I heard her voice downstairs, just before I left for my room. She was somewhere at the back of the house.” “What time did Mr. Maynard go to his room?” asked Nick.