rising and the Ladleys would have to be moved up to the second floor
front, where the clock stood. You went in there and looked around to
see if the room was ready, and you saw the clock. And knowing that the
Ladleys quarreled now and then, and were apt to throw things--"

"Nothing but a soap-dish, and that only once."

"--you took the clock to the attic and put it, say, in an old trunk."

"I did nothing of the sort. I went in, as you say, and I put up an old
splasher, because of the way he throws ink about. Then I wound the
clock, put the key under it, and went out."

"And the key is gone, too!" he said thoughtfully. "I wish I could find
that clock, Mrs. Pitman."

"So do I."

"Ladley went out Sunday afternoon about three, didn't he--and got back
at five?"

I turned and looked at him. "Yes, Mr. Howell," I said. "Perhaps _you_
know something about that."

"I?" He changed color. Twenty years of dunning boarders has made me
pretty sharp at reading faces, and he looked as uncomfortable as if he
owed me money. "I!" I knew then that I had been right about the voice.
It had been his.

"You!" I retorted. "You were here Sunday morning and spent some time