"Yes, sir. I have already testified that they were not locked," and Symonds looked bewildered. "Are you sure none of the furniture was upset in Captain Lloyd's bedroom, Symonds?" "Absolutely positive, sir." "That is all, Symonds; you may go. Orderly, ask Mrs. Lane to step here." It was after three o'clock, but the judge advocate's manner was so full of suppressed excitement that Colonel Andrews refrained from adjourning the court. "I will not detain you long, Mrs. Lane," said the judge advocate briskly. "Kindly tell the court what furniture was in Captain Lloyd's bedroom." "Two beds, two chairs, a desk by the window, and two bureaus," replied Mrs. Lane, concisely and without hesitation. "Are you sure that is all?" "I am." "Which hall does Captain Lloyd's bedroom door open into?" "The back hall, sir." "And where does that lead?" "To the back stairs which go down into the kitchen." "Do these back stairs go up to the third floor?" "No, sir; only to the second floor." "So that you have to pass Captain Lloyd's door every time you wish to go to the kitchen by way of the back stairs?" "Yes, sir." "You may go, Mrs. Lane. Orderly, tell Major Goddard that his presence is needed here." Goddard was not long in coming, and with Donnally's assistance again made his way to the witness chair. "Major Goddard," began the judge advocate, turning over the leaves of his book, "in your direct testimony you stated that when trying to find your way out of Captain Lloyd's bedroom you tripped over a foot-stool. Mrs. Lane has just testified that there was not such a thing in the room. Symonds has also testified that not one article of furniture that _was_ in the room was overturned or apparently disturbed in any way. Now, sir, kindly inform this court what you really _did_ trip over, and remember," he sternly admonished, "that you are under oath to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." Goddard grew white to the lips, and fingered his sword hilt nervously. Getting no answer to his question, the judge advocate repeated it. Still no reply. "I will alter my question." The judge advocate's accusing voice rang through the tense silence. "Did you not trip over a dog belonging to the accused? I demand an answer, sir. Yes or no?" For one brief second Goddard gazed with white set face in the direction of the judge advocate; then dropped his face into his trembling hand as he murmured: "Yes." CHAPTER XXIV A STARTLING DISCOVERY Mrs. Warren, who had spent an anxious evening by herself, heard the rattle of her husband's latch key, and hurried out to the front door to meet him. "Any new developments, dear?" she asked, as he stooped and kissed her. Warren hung up his overcoat and hat before answering. "Let us go into the study," he suggested, and waited until they were closeted in the room before he spoke again. "Goddard has been placed under close arrest."