"It does indeed," agreed Douglas, knocking the ashes from his cigarette on the window ledge. "Did you get any information from Annette yesterday?" "Very little. I saw her soon after I found your note telling me of her interview with Colonel Thornton. She admitted that she had information which she was willing to sell, and finally made an appointment to see me early this morning. Thanks to circumstances--call it murder or suicide--I am no wiser than I was twenty-four hours ago." "Do you still cling to the theory that she met her death because some one was afraid of what she would tell you to-day?" "Yes; it looks that way to me. And yet I can't for the life of me discover how anyone could have committed a murder in that locked room." "In searching the room did you discover any secret passages leading to it?" exclaimed Douglas. "I did not. I thought I might find one, so I tapped that entire wall, but could not find a trace of any concealed door. I tell you, Mr. Hunter, Annette did not commit suicide," Brett spoke earnestly. "She expected to receive a large sum of money within a few days; I virtually pledged the amount to her. There was no object in her taking her own life." "Why don't you investigate her past, Brett? That might give you a clew." "I have already cabled her description to the Paris police, asking for any information about her which they may have. I expect an answer shortly." "Good. Tell me, what information did Mrs. Winthrop supply which induced you to arrest Captain Lane?" "She told me that he had been seen on the street Monday night, when looking for Miss Carew's carriage, and that he was carrying a sharp letter file." "Who gave her that information?" "She didn't state, but I have an idea that it was Annette; probably the girl wanted money and went to her direct, she was none too scrupulous, apparently." "I believe you are right," exclaimed Douglas. "Mrs. Winthrop also told me that she found, tucked away among her brother's papers, yesterday an envelope containing a threatening letter. The contents were written in a disguised hand, but the postmark on the envelope read, 'Lanesville, Maryland.' She is firmly convinced that, if young Lane didn't write those letters himself, he instigated them." "Oh, nonsense! He isn't such a fool," roughly. "I believe he is innocent." At that moment the door opened and Colonel Thornton walked in. He flung his hat on the table. "I am glad to find you both here," he said. "Don't get up," as Douglas rose, "I'll take this chair. I called you up at headquarters, Brett, but they told me you had just come here, so I hurried over from Mrs. Winthrop's to catch you." "Does she want me for anything in particular?" asked Brett.