“Which reminds me,” he added, “that I don’t know what has become of my own coat and shirt.”

I looked at Godfrey quickly.

“No, I forgot them,” he said.  “They’re over in the library at Elmhurst,” he added to Swain.  “You can get them to-morrow.”

“I shall have to be there to-morrow, then?”

“Yes, at the inquest; I’ve promised to produce you there,” I said.

“At what time?”

“You’d better be there by ten.”

“Very well; that’s all the more reason for getting back to my base of supplies.  If I went on the stand looking like this, the jury would probably think I was the murderer!” he added, laughing.

My answering smile was decidedly thin.  Godfrey did not even try to force one.

“Wait a few minutes,” he suggested, “and I’ll take you down in my car.  I’ll try to get back early, Lester,” he added, apologetically.  “I’m far from an ideal host—­but you’ll find some books on my desk that may interest you—­I got them up to-day.  Take a look at them after dinner.”

He went back to bring out his car, and Swain sat down again beside me.

“Mr. Lester,” he said, in a low voice, “I hope you haven’t forgotten your promise.”

“What promise?”

“To put Miss Vaughan in a safe place and to look after her interests.”

“No,” I said, “I haven’t forgotten.  I am going to ask to see her after the inquest to-morrow.  If she wishes us to represent her, we will.”

“And to protect her,” he added, quickly.  “She hasn’t even a mad father now!”

“She’s safe enough for the present,” I pointed out.  “Dr. Hinman has employed another nurse, so that one is with her all the time.”

“I won’t be satisfied,” said Swain, “till you get her out of that house and away from those damned Hindus.  One nurse, or even two, wouldn’t stop them.”

“Stop them from what?”

“I don’t know,” and he twisted his fingers helplessly.

“Well, the police will stop them.  There are three or four men on duty there, with orders to let no one in or out.”

His face brightened.

“Ah, that’s better,” he said.  “I didn’t know that.  How long will they be there?”

“Till after the inquest, anyway.”

“And you will see Miss Vaughan after the inquest?”

“Yes.”

“And urge her to go to Mr. and Mrs. Royce?”

“Yes—­but I don’t think she’ll need much urging.  I’ll get a note from Mrs. Royce.  I’ll telephone to Mr. Royce now, and you can stop and get the note as you come up in the morning.”

Godfrey’s car glided up the drive and stopped at the porch.  Swain held out his hand and clasped mine warmly.

“Thank you, Mr. Lester,” he said; and a moment later the car turned into the highway and passed from sight.

Then I went in, got Mr. Royce on the ’phone, and give him a brief outline of the incidents of the night before.  He listened with an exclamation of astonishment from time to time, and assented heartily when I suggested that Miss Vaughan might be placed in Mrs. Royce’s care temporarily.