“I saw,” faltered Chester, “nobody.  The shade was pulled up while I was standing there, after I had tripped on the ladder.  I supposed the noise of my stumble had awakened her.”

“And was that all?  Did you see nothing more?”

“Colonel, I did see, afterwards, a woman’s hand and arm closing the shade.”

“My God!  And she told me she slept the night through,—­never waked or heard a sound!”

“Did you hear nothing yourself, colonel?”

“Nothing.  When she came home from the party she stopped a moment, saying something to him at the door, then came into the library and kissed me good-night.  I shut up the house and went to bed about half-past twelve, and her door was closed when I went to our room.”

“So there were two closed doors, yours and hers, and the broad hall between you?”

“Certainly.  We have the doors open all night that lead into the rear rooms, and their windows.  This gives us abundant air.  Alice always has the hall door closed at night.”

“And Mrs. Maynard,—­was she asleep?”

“No.  Mrs. Maynard was lying awake, and seemed a little restless and disturbed.  Some of the women had been giving her some hints about Jerrold and fretting her.  You know she took a strange fancy to him at the start.  It was simply because he reminded her so strongly of the boy she had lost.  She told me so.  But after a little she began to discover traits in him she did not like, and then his growing intimacy with Alice worried her.  She would have put a stop to the doctor’s party,—­to her going with him, I mean,—­but the engagement was made some days ago.  Two or three days since, she warned Alice not to trust him, she says; and it is really as much on this as any other account that we decided to get her away, off to see her aunt Grace.  Oh, God! how blind we are! how blind we are!” And poor old Maynard bowed his head and almost groaned aloud.

Chester rose, and, in his characteristic way, began tramping nervously up and down.  There was a knock at the door.  “The adjutant’s compliments, and ’twas time for guard-mount.  Would the colonel wish to see him before he went out?” asked the orderly.

“I ought to go, sir,” said Chester.  “I am old officer of the day, and there will be just time for me to get into full uniform.”

“Let them go on without you,” said Maynard.  “I cannot spare you now.  Send word to that effect.  Now,—­now about this man,—­this Jerrold.  What is the best thing we can do?—­of course I know what he most deserves;—­but what is the best thing under all the circumstances?  Of course my wife and Alice will leave to-day.  She was still sleeping when I left, and, pray God, is not dreaming of this.  It was nearly two before she closed her eyes last night; and I, too, slept badly.  You have seen him.  What does he say?”