"Ah, then it was her own suggestion that she should occupy the room," exclaimed Brett quickly. "Yessir. She dun say dat de bed looked comfo'able, an' dat she'd jes' take de bedclothes offer de bed in de room on de third flo', an' move her things down inter de odder room. Sophy tole her dat de place were mighty dusty, 'cause it's been used as a storeroom, but Annette said she'd 'tend ter dat." "Did she speak to Colonel Thornton or to Miss Eleanor before moving into the room?" asked Douglas, thoughtfully. "No, suh, I don't think she did. I axed her ef she had, an' she said dat dey was all in de drawin'-room, waitin' fer dinnah, an' dat she didn't want ter 'sturb 'em, an' dat dey wouldn't care whar she slep'." "Then _no_ one knew she was occupying that room except you and Sophy?" asked the puzzled coroner. "No, suh; 'less she tole dem later. I done warned her dat dat room were unlucky,"--Nicodemus' eyes rolled in his head,--"an' dat no good would cum ob her sleepin' dar, an' she jes' larf and larf. An' now she's daid,"--he shook his woolly head solemnly; "it doan do ter trifle wid ghosts." "I won't keep you any longer," said the coroner, after a long pause. "Send Sophy up here, Nicodemus. By the way, is she any relation of yours?" "Yessir, she's ma sister, an' we've bof worked hyar since befo de wah. I'll send her right up, suh," and he disappeared. Sophy was not long in coming, and she confirmed all that Nicodemus had said. She added that the southwest chamber had not been occupied as a bedchamber for years, although the four-poster was left standing with its mattresses and pillows in place, after which she was excused. Colonel Thornton was then sent for by the coroner. "Your servants say, Colonel, that you did not expect your niece to bring her French maid, Annette, with her last night," began Penfield. "Is that so?" "My niece is at liberty to bring anyone," with emphasis, "to this house," said Colonel Thornton. "But I must admit that I did not know until just as dinner was announced that the maid had accompanied her." "Did you not see them arrive?" asked Brett. "No, they came earlier than I anticipated, and I was not in the house when they reached here." "Did Nicodemus inform you that the maid was here?" "No; why should he? He knows that this is my niece's second home, and that she is virtually mistress of the house." "Then your niece is thoroughly acquainted with this building?" put in Brett. "Haven't I just said so,"--impatiently. "Miss Thornton brought her maid with her because she knows I have but two old servants, enough for my bachelor needs, but she very naturally considered that my other guests, Mrs. Truxton and Miss Carew, might desire a maid's services." "I understand. Were you aware that Annette intended to sleep in the southwest chamber?" continued Brett. "I was not. If I had known it I would not have permitted her to occupy the room."