"Miss Thornton's sex will not shield her," declared the Secretary firmly, "if she be guilty--but, Mr. Winthrop, your story will also be investigated to the minutest detail. Until your innocence is proved without a shadow of a doubt you will consider yourself under arrest. Brett will see that the proper papers are made out." Winthrop blanched. "I'm--I'm--in no condition to go to jail," he stammered. "It is monstrous!" "Just a moment," broke in Douglas. He had been deep in thought, and had paid but little attention to their conversation. "You say, Winthrop, that the letter file used to slay Senator Carew belonged to a desk set given to Miss Thornton by Miss Cynthia Carew." "I do," exclaimed Winthrop positively. Eleanor's surprise was reflected in her uncle's face. Was Douglas taking sides against her? Her eyes filled with tears, which she winked hastily away. "Have you such a desk set, Eleanor?" demanded Douglas. "Yes, Cynthia gave it to me last Christmas." "Is the letter file missing?" The answer was slow in coming. "Yes," she breathed faintly. "Ah! What did I tell you?" cried Winthrop triumphantly. Douglas paid no attention to him, but continued to address Eleanor. "Where do you keep this desk set?" "In the writing room across the hall from my drawing-room." "Describe your first floor, please, Eleanor." "The drawing-room is to the left of the front door; to the right is the small writing room, back of that the staircase, and back of the drawing-room is the dining room. The house is what is called three-quarters." "I see. Does the dining room communicate with the drawing-room?" "Yes; there are old-fashioned sliding doors between the two rooms." "Do you use portières?" "Yes, on all the doors." Douglas smiled at her encouragingly, then he turned to the four men. "Miss Thornton has testified that no one of her household knew that Senator Carew was with her Monday night. She is mistaken. There was one other person who knew that fact; who had ample opportunity to overhear her conversation with the Senator; to take the letter file from the desk in the writing room, and steal after him when he left, open the carriage door, and stab him." "Who was it?" questioned Eleanor breathlessly, while the others hung on his words. "The servant who admitted him." "Fugi!" gasped Thornton. "My God! I believe you're right. But the motive, man?" "An international intrigue." Douglas caught the Secretary's eye, who nodded appreciatively. "Miss Thornton has already stated that Senator Carew told her that he had discovered proof of a plot against this country, that the secrets of this government were being betrayed, that he knew the names of the spy or spies, and that he was on the way to inform the Secretary of State. Concealed in one of the portières, Fugi overheard all this, and, to save his own life, killed Senator Carew."