"Only the regular patrolman. He passes it every few hours, joggles the doorknob, and goes on. If Vicky is as clever as I think she is, she'll time that policeman, and sneak into the house between his rounds. It's only a chance, you know, but you might see her." And then I told them all I knew myself of the whole affair. And seeing that I was deeply into the turmoil of it all, and had grave responsibilities, Aunt Lucy withdrew all objections and sympathized with me. Also, she was impressed with my important business connections with the Schuyler family, and was frankly curious about that aristocratic household. I was asked over and over again as to their mode of living, the furniture and appointments of the house, and the attitudes of the widow and the sisters toward each other. It was late in the evening before I remembered some important papers Mr. Bradbury had given me to hand to Mrs. Schuyler, and as soon as I thought of them I telephoned to know if I might then bring them over. "Yes," came back Ruth Schuyler's soft voice. "I wish you would. I want to consult you about some other things also." The interview was less trying than that of the morning had been. Several matters of inheritance, insurance, and such things were discussed, and Mrs. Schuyler was more composed and calm. She looked better, too, though this was doubtless due, in part, to the fact that she wore a white house dress which was far more becoming than black to her colorless face and light hair. "I don't know," she said, at length, "whether what I want to say should be said to you or to the detective." "Tell me first," I said, "and I may be able to advise you. In any case, it will be confidential." "You are kind," she said, and her grateful eyes smiled appreciatively. "It's this. I'd rather not have that--that Miss Van Allen traced, if it can be prevented in any way. I have a special reason for this, which I think I will tell you. It is, that, on thinking it over I have become convinced that my husband must have known the young woman, and the acquaintance was not to his credit. For some reason, I think, she must have forbidden him the house, and that is why he went there under an assumed name. Mr. Lowney succeeded in getting Mr. Steele on the long distance telephone--" "Why, where is Steele?" "In Chicago. Mr. Lowney says that he had to go there on the midnight train, and that is why he left the lady's house--Miss Van Allen's house, so suddenly." "Really? Well, I am surprised. But, go on, what else did Steele say?"