"No, I don't believe those deaths were supernatural, _now_," he said, thoughtfully; "I did, but it's too incredible. However, it's no more unbelievable than that they could have been accomplished by human power." "They were," and Zizi's black head nodded affirmation. "How, then?" "By a diabolically clever genius. Tell me again, Professor, just how those people were sitting? Were they together?" "Mr. Bruce and Vernie? No. There was the width of the room between them." "Were you near either?" "Yes, sitting next to Mr. Bruce. We were talking absorbedly." "Had he tasted his tea?" "I think he had taken one sip,--not more, I'm sure." "There was poison in that tea, Professor." "There must have been, but how _could_ there be?" "Who gave it to him?" "Let me see; Miss Carnforth presided, as Mrs. Landon was not at home. Miss Carnforth made the tea, and poured the cups, and Vernie and Mr. Tracy,--yes, and Mr. Landon were passing the things around. It was all most informal, we never have the servants in at tea-time. I couldn't really say just who did give Mr. Bruce his cup. Vernie gave me mine, I think." "Well, the poison was put in Mr. Bruce's cup, after Miss Carnforth fixed it for him." "Bless my soul, do you think so? That lets Braye out, then, for he wasn't there." "You don't suspect Mr. Braye, do you?" "No; of course not; but I don't really suspect anybody. But Mr. Braye is the heir, you know, and so may be said to have motive." "That is true of Mr. Landon,--in a way." "I can't suspect either of those two,--it's impossible." "Go on, Professor, tell me about the little girl's death." "You've heard it before." "I know, but every little helps." "She was across the room. I was looking at Bruce, of course, when I heard an exclamation----" "From whom?" "I don't know; Miss Carnforth, I think. Any way, she and Tracy were bending over Vernie,--they had laid her on a couch,--and in a moment, they said she was dead. At the same time, Mr. Bruce breathed his last. It was all so fearful, so terrible, we were stunned. At least, I was, and one by one we pulled ourselves together, trying to realize what had happened." "All right, I know the rest. You've helped me a little----" "Do you suspect anybody? Does Mr. Wise? Tell me, child. I can doubtless be of help, if I know what to do." "No, Professor, you can't help. It's very awful, but it will soon be clear to all. Heaven help that poor Miss Carnforth." "Nonsense! Eve didn't do it! Of that I'm certain." "So am I. Of course, Miss Carnforth didn't do it. The tea was all right when she fixed Mr. Bruce's cup." "Then who tampered with it? Not Vernie!" But Zizi had run away. She had a way of making sudden exits and entrances, and one never knew where she was or when she would appear. That night Zizi declared that she hoped the ghost would visit her. She said this openly, as the whole crowd were preparing to go to their rooms for the night.