“From Dr. Thorne’s office, sir,” stammered Murray. “The doctor sent me back to say that Dr. Noyes had shot himself and for the nurses to prepare his room; he also told me to stop at Thornedale to get surgical dressings. The old butler didn’t answer the bell, so I climbed through a window and found this bag sitting in his office. I looked in it and seeing bandages and splints brought it along just as it was.” Vera looked quickly at Mitchell and his expression gave her the key to his thoughts--good heavens! Would he try to fix the crime upon Beverly Thorne? Could it be that Thorne, like the others, had believed her guilty of Brainard’s murder and had taken the razor from her so that it would not be found in her possession and further incriminate her? If so, he had jeopardized himself to protect her. Her face flamed at the thought. “I can explain Dr. Thorne’s possession of the razor,” she said clearly. “He got it from me.” “He did!” Mitchell wheeled on her. “So you admit at last that _you_ had the razors.” “I admit that I picked up the razor after Millicent dropped it last night,” retorted Vera. “Millicent!” gasped Mrs. Porter. “I thought I hid all six in the cannon,” faltered Millicent, raising miserable, hunted eyes to Mitchell. “I admit I had the set--because--because--Murray, where did Dr. Noyes shoot himself?” turning desperately to the footman. “At that lean-to near the top of Elm Ridge.” Murray’s eyes lighted on Mrs. Hall, who was edging her way to the door unobtrusively. “I went upstairs to find you, Mrs. Hall, to tell you they were bringing Dr. Noyes home, but I ran into Miss Millicent and she seen I was a little excited,” with an apologetic glance at Mrs. Porter, who was paying scant attention to him as she strove to quiet Millicent. “She made me tell her about Dr. Noyes.” Nurse Hall, finding attention centered upon her, colored. “I will go up and arrange the room now, that is, if I am not required here.” “You can go,” directed Mitchell. “But remember, I must see you later.” “Yes, sir.” And Mrs. Hall slipped away, only to return a moment later. “They are bringing Dr. Noyes in the front door, now,” she announced. “And there’s a gentleman asking for you, Mr. Mitchell.” Before Mitchell reached the hall door Sam Anthony, the Secret Service agent, appeared at the threshold. “Bring Dr. Noyes in here,” he called over his shoulder. Then addressing Mitchell: “He’s regained consciousness.” There was a surging toward the door of Mitchell, Wyndham and Murray, but they halted as two Secret Service operatives came in supporting Alan Noyes, who walked between them, Beverly Thorne’s arm steadying him from behind. Noyes stopped at sight of Mitchell, and leaned wearily against Thorne. “I asked for you,” he began. “To give myself up for the murder of Bruce Brainard.” CHAPTER XXII “THE MOVING FINGER WRITES--” A HEARTRENDING scream broke from Millicent, and running to Noyes she flung herself at his feet.