"In justice to myself I must," was the grave reply. "Dana was a moral degenerate; brave to a fault, and very clever, he did not know the difference between right and wrong. If he had been content to keep straight he might have risen to high places; instead he practiced deceit and dishonor." Thornton's sad face hardened. "He was always a first class actor, and that talent helped him in the double life he was leading. Nicodemus told me that he was in the habit of disguising himself whenever he was up to deviltry." "Ah, that explains why Annette did not know that Dana Thornton was 'the mutual friend' to whom she delivered and from whom she received secret despatches," put in Brett, who had followed Captain Thornton's words with breathless interest. "After what Nicodemus told me I decided not to let my brother know of my presence here," continued Captain Thornton, "and so occupied an unused room in the garret, where Nicodemus took care of me." "Oh, why didn't you come to me?" asked Eleanor passionately. "I did, dear; yesterday morning, but you were out." An exclamation broke from Eleanor. "I did not leave any message or name, so you were not told of my visit. Nicodemus told me of my wife's death, and of your presence in Washington, Eleanor. "How I kept my hands off Dana I don't know!" Thornton's eyes blazed with righteous indignation. "He was the cause of all my misfortunes. When possible I spied upon him; not an honorable occupation, but I felt I must fight the devil with fire. When I entered this room just now I intended to slay him, but Providence intervened and gave him a more merciful death than I would have meted out to him." "I don't know about that," said Brett; "in the hour of his triumph you snatched his victory from him. God only knows what thoughts were concentrated in his active brain when physical endurance succumbed to the shock of seeing you." "Perhaps you are right," agreed Thornton wearily. "I think that is all I have to tell you, gentlemen." "There is one question I feel I must ask," Brett rose to his feet as he spoke. "Did Annette commit suicide, or was she killed by human or supernatural agency?" "I think my brother planned her murder; one crime more or less did not trouble his elastic conscience." "By Heaven! she brought it on herself by offering to confess to Colonel Thornton what she knew of Senator Carew's murder. But how the devil did he accomplish it?" questioned Brett. "The only door was locked on the inside, and no one could have entered by the windows. I examined all the wall space, thinking there might be a concealed entrance, but couldn't find a sign of one."