"There are others in this house beside you people," Wise returned; "and I tell you frankly, I'm not ready yet to suspect any one or even imagine who the criminal may be. I only state positively that disembodied spirits are not responsible for those two tragic deaths. Also, may I ask you to remember, that I've only just arrived, that I've had a tiresome journey, that I'd like rest and refreshment, and that there are more days coming for my further work." "Why, bless my soul!" exclaimed the Professor, "that's all true! Do you know, Mr. Wise, it seems as if you'd always been here, it seems as if you were already one of us." "Thank you, sir, that's a pleasant compliment to my personality, anyway. And now, if you please, Mrs. Landon, may I be shown to my room?" "Certainly," said Milly, and she rang for Thorpe, as Landon rose to escort the guest himself. "Where's that girl?" said Norma, looking round after the detective had gone off, "what became of her?" But there was no sight of the little black-robed figure. "Oh, let her alone," said Eve, "she slid out to the kitchen, I think. Hester will look after her. That man said to pay no more attention to her than to his hand luggage. She'll look out for herself, I've no doubt. Isn't she awful, anyway?" "I think she's pretty," said Norma, "in a weird, elfin sort of way." "She knows it all," said Braye. "I never saw such an effect of old head on young shoulders in my life. But what a funny way to treat her." "She's a spy," declared Eve, "that's what she is, a spy! With her silent, gliding ways, and her sly, soft voice! I hate her!" "Now, now, Evie, don't be unjust!" and Braye smiled at her. "She is a bit your style and temperament, but don't be jealous!" "Nonsense!" and Eve laughed back at him, "why, she isn't a bit like me! She has black hair and eyes----" "I didn't notice," said Braye, "but she impressed me as being like you in lines and motions." "A pocket edition," laughed Tracy. "Miss Carnforth would make two of that little shrimp, and Miss Carnforth is a sylph, herself." The party broke up into smaller groups, and Braye and Norma sauntered off for their usual afternoon stroll. Eve watched them go, her eyes moodily staring. "Won't I do?" said Tracy's quiet voice, and Eve pulled herself together and smiled at him. "You're the one I want most," she declared gaily, unwilling to be thought disappointed. "Let's walk down by the lake." The walk by the lake was always shaded, but as the day was murky it was gloomier than ever. "You like this place?" asked Tracy, with a glance at the black grove of aspens, and their dark reflection in the still water of the deep pool. "Yes, I do; or, I did, until that man came up here. There's no use in pursuing our investigations with him around." "All the more use," declared Tracy. "If any supernatural things happen it will refute his cocksure decisions." "Yes, it would. Oh, I do wish a ghost would appear to him, and scare him out of his wits!"