Then her jaws became fixed. She could not conclude the sentence, and lapsed again into unconsciousness. The constable had sent Lane round to the police station, and an inspector, entering the room, was told what had occurred, and was shown the human eye. When he saw it he knit his brows. Like ourselves, he scented tragedy, especially as the poor girl Jane was lying dead. The inspector was also shown the secret cavity beneath the carpet. He examined the windows of all the rooms on the ground floor, made a tour of the exterior of the house, and closely questioned all the servants. The absence of the master of the house somewhat puzzled him, for the cook explained that Mr Parham returned from the country two days before and remained at home all the afternoon, packed another big travelling bag and left again about seven o'clock, telling his wife that he had to go to Birmingham. When, a little later, we returned to the drawing-room we found Mrs Parham propped up with pillows and attended by the doctor and the housemaid. She was talking with them, and looked at me inquiringly as I entered with the inspector. She probably took me for a police officer in plain clothes. "I was sitting at the piano playing when Jane entered and drew down one of the blinds," she said, in a low voice, speaking with some difficulty. "Then she switched on the light and drew down the other blind. At that instant I heard a movement behind me, and turning I saw a man, but next moment something was slipped over my head and eyes. I struggled and at the same time heard Jane cry out. While my assailant held me tightly I heard Jane struggling, therefore there must have been two men in the room at least. A few moments later I lost consciousness and know nothing else until I found you all here standing around me. What has happened?" she inquired, in a refined voice, looking from the doctor across to me. "We don't quite know yet, mum," answered the police inspector. "It seems as though the men were thieves who being disturbed slipped away." "Thieves!" she gasped, open-mouthed. "Have they taken anything?" "We can't make out. When you feel a little better you must come round the house with us." "They've opened a place under the floor, across there," explained the doctor, pointing to the corner where the carpet was still laid back from the boards. She raised herself quickly upon her elbow and glanced in the direction indicated, staring straight at the spot with a look of terror in her eyes. No word escaped her lips. Her jaws seemed again fixed, her breath held, her fingers clenched into the palms. She realised that the secret hiding-place had been discovered. "What have they taken?" she gasped, in a low, terrified tone, when at last she found tongue. "Apparently everything," I replied. "The place is empty."