A slight sound behind him caused Douglas to wheel swiftly around. A pretty woman, with astonishment written largely in her round eyes, stood regarding the two men. She was carrying a handbag. "Whom do you wish to see?" asked Brett sharply. "No one, Monsieur," replied Annette, her accent denoting her nationality. "I am Miss Thornton's maid." Douglas started. "Eleanor--Miss Thornton!" Was it possible that she could mean _the_ Eleanor Thornton he used to know? "I am taking her bag to her room as she is spending the night here," added the servant. "Indeed." Brett inspected her keenly. "When did Miss Thornton enter the house?" "A few minutes ago, Monsieur," vaguely. "Joshua showed Mademoiselle in while I stopped a moment to speak with the chauffeur, and he left the front door open so that I could enter." At that moment the butler appeared from the dining room carrying a tray on which were glasses and a pitcher of ice water. "Joshua, is this Miss Thornton's maid?" asked Brett. "Yessir," Joshua ducked his head respectfully as he answered the detective. "Annette, Miss Eleanor done hab her same room next do' ter Miss Cynthia's. Yo' kin take her things right upstairs, and tell Miss Eleanor I done got der ice water fo' her." With a half curtsey Annette stepped past the two men, and ran quickly up the staircase. "Stop a moment, Joshua," ordered Brett, as the butler started to follow the maid. "Who opened the door into the library a few moments ago?" "'Deed I dunno, suh; I been so busy takin' in cyards I ain't noticed particular." "Who has been in the hall besides yourself?" persisted Brett. "Ain't no one," began Joshua, then paused. "Now I do recollect dat Marse Philip cum in right smart time ergo, suh. He axed fo' yo', and I tole him yo' was in de lib'ary. I 'specks he mighter been alookin' fo' yo'." "Ah, indeed; where is Mr. Winthrop now?" "Ah dunno, suh." "Well, find him, Joshua, and tell him I wish to see him--at once." Brett's pleasant voice had deepened, and Joshua blinked nervously. "Yessir, I'll tell him, suh, 'deed ah will," he mumbled, as he started upstairs. As Douglas and Brett walked across the hall to enter the library a man stepped out of the drawing-room. "Are you looking for me, Mr. Brett?" The question was asked courteously enough, and Douglas was the more astonished to encounter a hostile stare as the newcomer glanced at him. "I hope you can give me a few minutes of your time," said Brett; "will you be so good as to step into the library?" and he stood aside to allow Philip Winthrop to enter first. Douglas followed them into the room and locked the door. As the key clicked slightly Winthrop frowned, and his pale face flushed. "That is only a precaution against eavesdroppers," explained Douglas quickly. "Mr. Winthrop, this is Mr. Douglas Hunter, who is assisting me in my efforts to unravel the mystery surrounding Senator Carew's death, and with your permission will be present at this interview."