"Go to Eva," nudged Balcom to Paul.
A moment later the butler entered with the detectives.
At the sight of the automaton model in Balcom's hands the butler cried out:
"That is what attacked me last night—only larger—much larger!"
All eyes were now on the butler. Quickly Balcom took advantage of the situation thus created. Locke, also, left Flint and moved over to the group examining the model. As he did so his eye caught a piece of paper under the sideboard. He was about to pick it up when he realized that all were looking at him. Quickly he covered his discovery and faced them.
"This man is the stranger in the house," cried Balcom, in anger. "Arrest him and make him explain."
It was the work of only an instant for the chief detective to step up to Locke and slip the bracelets on his wrists.
"Don't!" cried Eva.
"Please—my dear—your father," remonstrated Paul.
At that instant Brent was seized with another violent fit of coughing and laughter. Eva, distracted, was half fainting.