“That’s all very heroic,” remarked Mitchell ironically. “But we have laws in this country, Captain; and we’ve got to abide by them. Somebody’s got to be punished for murdering Von Eltz.”
A sudden shout from the next room startled Evelyn and she swung about just as Mrs. Burnham, her face ashen, started for the door leading into her husband’s bedroom. A premonition of impending evil made Evelyn follow her. The coroner, speeding ahead, unlocked the door.
“Come,” Evelyn called over her shoulder to the others and they flocked after her; Jones, bringing up the rear of the little procession, almost collided with James Palmer who lagged behind the others.
Peter Burnham, sitting up in bed, his hands clutching numerous papers while others were scattered loose over the counterpane, glared at his wife and those back of her until he saw James Palmer; then his expression changed to one of impotent fury.
“You, Palmer——” his voice choked with rage—“it was you who shot at me from the window in your apartment, you treacherous hound!”
Palmer stared over the heads of his companions and his expression caused Marian to shrink back.
“What’s that you say?” he demanded. “Here, let me by,” and he pushed Hayden to one side as he made his way to the foot of the bed. “Are you out of your head, Burnham?”
“No. I’ve just found out to what use you have put my chess correspondence. I have all the evidence,” shouted Burnham, his excitement almost uncontrollable. “I have discovered the key——” A sudden sensation of suffocation overcame him and he fell back on his pillow speechless, the papers fluttering from his palsied fingers.
“Quick, doctor,” pleaded Mrs. Burnham, while Detective Mitchell, his mind in a whirl, edged nearer Palmer, at the same time keeping an alert eye on René La Montagne who had drawn Evelyn to one side and shielded her from the sight of the pitiful figure on the bed.
Marian Van Ness started forward to aid Hayden, but the sight of Mrs. Ward, her eyes agleam with excitement, perspiration streaming down her face, as she crept into the room, diverted her attention. Back of Mrs. Ward came Jones, intent only on watching the housekeeper.