"Please don't," pleaded Warren, much embarrassed. "You and Nancy have warm friends, who will stand by you through thick and thin. You must not get discouraged." "Discouraged?" echoed Miss Metoaca, winking violently. "When I think of my dear Nancy in that place--I'd--I'd--like to murder some one myself!" And she slammed the front door viciously as a slight vent to her over-wrought feelings. About the same hour that Senator Warren and Miss Metoaca were conferring together, Colonel Baker, much dissatisfied in mind, was walking moodily along F Street. Things had not gone to suit him that day. The result of the autopsy had puzzled him; the search of Miss Metoaca's house had proved disappointing, for nothing had been found there that in any way touched on the supposed murder, or on the whereabouts of the missing and all-important despatch. As he crossed the street on his way to the Ebbitt House, he encountered Symonds hurrying out of the F Street entrance of the hotel. "Well, Symonds, what news?" he asked briefly, returning the other's salute. "I hear that Major Goddard has regained consciousness, Colonel." "Good!" Baker hesitated a moment; then turned on his heel. "Come with me, Symonds." And he led the way to Mrs. Lane's. The sentry on duty before the house saluted as he recognized him, and allowed him to enter the dwelling. Baker wasted no time downstairs, but went directly to Lloyd's sitting room, and rapped softly on the door. In response to his knock, a nurse appeared in the doorway. "What is it?" she asked. "I have come to see your patient, Major Goddard, who I am told has regained consciousness." "Oh, that is impossible," exclaimed the nurse, and she made a movement to close the door. "One moment!"--sternly--"I am Colonel Baker, of the Secret Service. It is imperative that I see Major Goddard at once. I will not stay long." And he edged toward the doorway. The young nurse had but recently joined the United States Sanitary Commission, and she was overawed by Baker's authoritative manner. "Doctor Ward has forbidden ... still," she murmured, "if you will stay but a few minutes...." She moved reluctantly aside, and Baker stepped into the room, followed by Symonds. "Don't worry," said the colonel kindly. "I will explain my presence to Doctor Ward; you will not be blamed. Where is your patient?" "In the next room. He has been asleep all the afternoon, but is awake now." With noiseless steps Colonel Baker made his way into the next room, and drew up a chair by Goddard's bedside. Nothing had been disturbed in the room; the furniture had been left as it was before Lloyd's death. A feeble attempt had been made to remove the blood stains in front of the mantel; but the servant had only succeeded in spreading the stains over the rag carpet. Goddard moved restlessly, and turned over in bed, so that he faced Baker; his quick ear had caught the slight sound the newcomer made in seating himself.