"Shortly before ten o'clock. I do not recollect the exact time." "Did she say nothing to you then about having moved down on your floor?" "Not a word." "Has your maid had an unfortunate love affair?" inquired the coroner. "Not to my knowledge." "Has she been despondent of late?" "No; she seemed in her usual good spirits." "Do you know if she had lost money?" "I never heard her mention such a thing." "Has she been with you long?" "About two years." "And you found her----?" "Excellent in every way; honest, reliable, and capable." "Miss Thornton," facing her directly, "have you formed any theory as to how your maid came to be asphyxiated?" "I think it was due to an accident. She probably fell asleep, leaving the gas burning." "But Mr. Hunter found the two windows closed, no possible draft could get into the room to blow out the light--nor could any person have blown it out, for the door, the only way of entrance, was locked on the inside. How was it possible to have an accident under those circumstances?" "Possibly it was suicide, though I cannot bear to think so," Eleanor spoke with much feeling. "Miss Thornton,"--Brett rose, walked over to the table, and stood looking directly down into the lovely face raised so confidingly to his--"did your maid ever utter any threats against Captain Frederick Lane in your presence?" "Never!" Eleanor's eyes opened in surprise. "Did she ever insinuate that he had something to do with the murder of Senator Carew?" "No, never!" But Eleanor's firm voice quivered as she uttered the denial, and Brett detected it. His eyes lighted with excitement. "What was Captain Lane doing here last night?" The question was unexpected, and Eleanor started perceptibly. "He came to see Miss Carew," she admitted, faintly. "Did he see your maid?" "Not to my knowledge." "Did Captain Lane spend the evening with you and Colonel Thornton?" "Oh, no, he only saw Miss Carew." "How long was he with Miss Carew?" "About ten minutes." "Indeed!" Brett paused and spoke with greater deliberation. "Captain Lane, who is being shadowed by several of my men, was seen to enter this house last night between nine and half-past--and, though my men waited all night, he was never seen to leave it." CHAPTER XVIII IN THE NAME OF THE LAW "Well, and what then?" demanded a curt voice behind the group. The three men and Eleanor wheeled around and gazed at the young officer in surprise too deep for words. "Well, what then?" demanded Captain Lane for the second time. "How did you get here?" asked Brett, recovering from his surprise. "Through the door. How did you suppose?" with a flicker of amusement in his handsome eyes. "The butler told me I would find you here when he admitted me a few seconds ago." Then his face grew stern. "I entered in time to overhear your remark,"--turning directly to Brett. "Because your men did not see me leave the house it doesn't follow that I spent the night here."