"I don't understand," she began, glancing piteously from one to the other. "You found a strange man in Paul's bed just after I left?" "Yes," replied Miriam, quietly. "It was a great shock and I fainted, and in that condition was chloroformed. When I revived I found Mr. Abbott lying dead in that bed." As in a daze, Betty raised her hands and pressed them to her throbbing temples. "You mean that some man got in this room while Miss Ward was in the hall with the lighted lamp, showing Uncle Alexander and me the way downstairs, threw Paul out of bed, and took his place?" she asked. "And being detected by Miss Ward, chloroformed her, and then murdered Paul?" "You have described the scene very admirably," stated Trenholm, slowly, "except in one particular. The man assumed Paul's place in the bed when Miss Ward went downstairs to the door to admit you and Doctor Nash." "Impossible!" Betty's eyes were half starting from her head. "Why, I stood near the bed--" "Exactly where?" broke in Trenholm. "Show me." Betty rose and walked over to the bed and paused by it. "When I came, I stopped here," she explained. "I did not move, did I, Miss Ward?" glancing appealingly at Miriam. "No," quickly. "And how were the curtains of the four-poster draped?" asked Trenholm. Miriam quickly arranged them to the best of her recollection. "Then, Miss Carter, you did not have a good view of the man in the bed?" "But it _was_ Paul," she protested. "I knew his voice." "Voices can be imitated," Trenholm spoke slowly. "And a poor imitation would have passed muster in your state of excitement. You were expecting to find Paul there--and you were not critical." "But I tell you I saw his face." "How much of it?" "His dark hair, his general contour--oh, pshaw, his beard--" "Did you see his eyes?" asked Trenholm. "Did you lean over and kiss him?" Betty flushed crimson, from throat to brow. "He kept his eyes closed--sick men do that"--with a defiant glance at Miriam as if challenging her to contradict her statement. "I, eh, I didn't kiss Paul because--because--" her voice died away and rose again. "He was ill and--eh--" "And you loved another man!" Trenholm's tone cut like a whiplash, and she swayed upon her feet. "Come, confess that you consented to marry Paul because he promised you the Paltoff diamond." Three times Betty strove to speak. "You are the devil incarnate!" she gasped. "I tell you I married Paul!" Her clenched fist struck the bedstead a sharp blow. "See, look here," and from around her neck she dragged off a gold chain which she had worn concealed underneath her gown. From it was suspended a heavy gold ring. "You knew Paul intimately, Guy Trenholm. Do you recognize this ring?" He took it from her hand and Miriam moved closer to his side and examined it intently. It bore only a large and beautifully carved "M" upon it. Trenholm dropped it in Miriam's hand and she was astonished at the ring's weight and its massive size.