“Aye, what?” significantly. “You recollect that Nicodemus testified that Annette did not want to sleep on the third floor because—’it wor too far off from her folks, an’ she had to be down whar she could hear dem.’ It looks as if Annette were in the habit of taking an unusual interest in her mistress’ affairs.”
“It does indeed,” agreed Douglas, knocking the ashes from his cigarette on the window ledge. “Did you get any information from Annette yesterday?”
“Very little. I saw her soon after I found your note telling me of her interview with Colonel Thornton. She admitted that she had information which she was willing to sell, and finally made an appointment to see me early this morning. Thanks to circumstances—call it murder or suicide—I am no wiser than I was twenty-four hours ago.”
“Do you still cling to the theory that she met her death because some one was afraid of what she would tell you to-day?”
“Yes; it looks that way to me. And yet I can’t for the life of me discover how anyone could have committed a murder in that locked room.”
“In searching the room did you discover any secret passages leading to it?” exclaimed Douglas.
“I did not. I thought I might find one, so I tapped that entire wall, but could not find a trace of any concealed door. I tell you, Mr. Hunter, Annette did not commit suicide,” Brett spoke earnestly. “She expected to receive a large sum of money within a few days; I virtually pledged the amount to her. There was no object in her taking her own life.”
“Why don’t you investigate her past, Brett? That might give you a clew.”
“I have already cabled her description to the Paris police, asking for any information about her which they may have. I expect an answer shortly.”