O’Leary nodded and there was a quickly subdued growl of dissent from Dr. Hajek.
“The two men struggled then, and Dr. Letheny was killed in the struggle?”
Again O’Leary nodded.
“Yes, I think I understand. Still it doesn’t seem possible.” Dr. Balman regarded Dr. Hajek doubtfully.
“No,” said Lance O’Leary slowly. “It does seem strange that Miss Keate should hear nothing of it.”
“I believe she did hear something of it,” said Dr. Balman, his distressed countenance turning to me. I made some gesture of assent.
“Yes,” said O’Leary. “For don’t you remember that she came down to the end of the corridor——” He left his sentence hanging in the air, and as he spoke he moved his hand slightly and I was faintly surprised to see little beads of sweat glistening on the back of it, though the night was cool. His face was quiet and composed as usual.
“Oh, yes,” said Dr. Balman. “I remember now. Strange she saw or heard nothing of all this when she opened the door of Room 18 and stood there for a moment.”
Queer how silent the room was. No one seemed to breathe.
Then Lance O’Leary’s voice broke the silence; it was tight and strange and shook a little.