“For many hours, surely. He appears to have been killed with a——”
“Wait for my questions, please,” said Nick. “Was Kendall here in the house last evening?”
“He was not.”
“Who was here?”
“Only my father, myself, and two servants,” replied Dora. “We all retired soon after nine o’clock.”
“What of your brother?”
“He has not yet returned from Boston. That is, sir, unless—unless——”
“Unless what, Miss Royal?”
“Unless he arrived in New York yesterday, and remained at his room in the city.”
“Very probably that is what he did,” nodded Nick, both to relieve the girl and conceal his own misgivings. “Where is his room in town, Miss Royal?”