their aunt. The boys belong to the gentleman, who is a widower."

"Their word ought to be good."

George nodded.

"The boys look wide-awake enough if the father does not. As for
the aunt, she is sweetness itself. Do they still insist that Miss
Challoner was the only person in the room with them at this time?"

"They did last night. I don't know how they will meet this
statement of the doctor's."

"George?"

He leaned nearer.

"Have you ever thought that she might have been a suicide? That
she stabbed herself?"

"No, for in that case a weapon would have been found."

"And are you sure that none was?"

"Positive. Such a fact could not have been kept quiet. If a weapon
had been picked up there would be no mystery, and no necessity for
further police investigation."

"And the detectives are still here?"