"Yes—the library," suggested I.
He drew back, and his face darkened.
"Library!" he echoed.
"There 's a fire there now," I informed him, wondering at his quick-changing moods. Next instant he was talking again, eagerly.
"But—look here, Swift—you have n't examined the body yet, have you? I 'm curious to see whether you discover anything. Queer old chap he was; I don't think anybody ever understood him."
He broke off and eyed Stodger severely.
"What the deuce are you laughing at, Stodger?" he demanded.
Stodger laid a hand upon his arm, and asked with husky eagerness:
"On the level, Maillot—between us, you know—just what did you say last night when somebody pulled the shade down over that lamp of yours?"
"You go to thunder," Maillot retorted, turning his back upon him.