"But one possibility remains," he confided to Sweetwater, as they
stood waiting at the elevator door. "Miss Challoner died from a
stab. The next minute she was in this lady's arms. No weapon
protruded from the wound, nor was any found on or near her in the
mezzanine. What follows? She struck the blow herself, and the
strength of purpose which led her to do this, gave her the
additional force to pull the weapon out and fling it from her. It
did not fall upon the floor around her; therefore, it flew through
one of those openings into the lobby, and there it either will be,
or has been found."

It was this statement, otherwise worded, which gave me my triumph
over George.



V

THE RED CLOAK


"What results? Speak up, Sweetwater."

"None. Every man, woman and boy connected with the hotel has been
questioned; many of them routed out of their beds for the purpose,
but not one of them picked up anything from the floor of the lobby,
or knows of any one who did."

"There now remain the guests."