"But Chapman had it the next day. He said Mr. Garney had given it to him."
Gene looked puzzled and thoughtful. "I don't see--"
"As I understand it, the servants were away that evening. Mr. Garney could not have come in unless you yourself admitted him, could he?"
"Oh, for that matter, he had my latchkey for the side door,--directly into the library. He used to drop in--" He hesitated, and his momentary embarrassment gave me the clue.
"When he came to try his hypnotic stunts?" I asked lightly.
"Yes," Gene nodded, looking relieved at my manner.
"But he didn't come that evening?"
"No. I dropped asleep. I slept awfully hard. When I woke up the gas was on full blaze." He caught himself up and looked startled.
"It was morning, then?" I said, quickly.
"Yes," he said slowly, evidently trying to puzzle something out. "I must have gone to sleep--again."