only a few languid questions of Macdougal and Lenora, who were summoned to
his presence.

"You had left the hotel, I understand, at the time when the crime
occurred?" he asked the latter.

Macdougal, grave and respectful, made his answers with difficulty. His
voice was choked with emotion.

"I brought my mistress home from the Opera, sir. I rode on the box with
Mrs. Delarey's chauffeur. After I had seen her safely in the hotel, I went
up to my room for two minutes and left the hotel by the back entrance."

"Any one see you go?"

"The door-keeper, sir, and I passed a page upon the stairs."

"Wasn't it rather late for you to go out?"

"My days are a little dull here, sir," Macdougal replied, "and my
attendance is not required early in the morning. I have made some friends
in the city and I usually go out to a restaurant and have some supper."

"Quite natural," Mr. Quest agreed. "That will do, thanks."

Macdougal turned towards the door. Lenora was about to follow him but
Quest signed to her to remain.

"I should like to have a little conversation with you about your
mistress," he said to her pleasantly. "If you don't mind, I will ask you