“Searching my room!”
“Yes. We have had all the personal belongings of those in whom we are—interested—searched. We were at first surprised to find you were addicted to smoking——and more surprised when we traced its ownership. Now, please, tell me just how you came upon it.”
In as few words as possible I complied.
“Will you hold Jim Gainsay?” I asked finally, as he turned and twisted the stubby red pencil thoughtfully in his hands.
“We shall watch him,” he amended. “So far he has stayed of his own free will, a thing that is in itself strange. Of course, if he should attempt to leave I should be forced to restrain him.”
The dinner bell rang just then and he looked at his watch, again frowning as he noted the time.
“Another thing, Miss Keate. That smell of ether interests me. Especially since to our knowledge ether was not used at all. Are you sure?”
“Yes.” I spoke decidedly. “I am sure now, because of the slicker I wore yesterday afternoon.”
“The slicker?” he inquired. “Yesterday afternoon?” And listened intently while I explained the whole thing.
“And you had no means of identifying it?” he asked, presently.