head and shut to the door.

"Nothing," he said.

In five minutes a brisk young doctor arrived, hastily summoned.
He was deferential to Sir James, whom he recognized.

"Heart failure, or possibly an overdose of some
sleeping-draught." He sniffed. "Rather an odour of chloral in
the air."

Tuppence remembered the glass she had upset. A new thought drove
her to the washstand. She found the little bottle from which
Mrs. Vandemeyer had poured a few drops.

It had been three parts full. Now--IT WAS EMPTY.



CHAPTER XIV

A CONSULTATION

NOTHING was more surprising and bewildering to Tuppence than the
ease and simplicity with which everything was arranged, owing to
Sir James's skilful handling. The doctor accepted quite readily
the theory that Mrs. Vandemeyer had accidentally taken an
overdose of chloral. He doubted whether an inquest would be
necessary. If so, he would let Sir James know. He understood
that Mrs. Vandemeyer was on the eve of departure for abroad, and