Mr. Gryce believed her and rose reluctantly to his feet.

“Then she is still very ill?”

“Very ill, but mending daily; or so the doctor says.”

“If she talks again, as she is liable to do at any moment, do not check her, but remember every word.  The importance of this I cannot impress upon you too fully.  But do not by any show of curiosity endanger her recovery.  She seems to be one of the very best sort; I would not have her body or mind sacrificed on any account.”

“You may trust me, sir.”

He nodded, giving her his hand.

But as he was turning away, he looked back with the quiet remark:  “I should like to ask a final question.  You have been in constant attendance on this lady for some time and must have seen many of her friends, as well as taken charge of her mail and of any messages which may have been left for her.  Has there been anything in this experience to settle the doubt as to whether her talk of a vision in which she saw her absent husband stricken simultaneously with the poor child lying at that very moment dead at her feet simply delirium or a striking instance of telepathy recording an accomplished fact?  In other words, do you believe her husband to be living or not living at the present time?”

“That is a subject upon which I have not been able to form any opinion.  I have heard nothing, seen nothing to influence my mind either way.  Some other people have asked me this same question.  If her mail contains any news, it is still in the hands of the proprietor of the hotel.  He has refrained from sending it up.  She has lived here, as you know, for a long while.”

“Has she no relative to share your watch or take such things in charge?”

“I have seen none.  Friends she has in plenty, but no one who claims relationship with her, or who raises the least objection to anything I do.”

He seemed about to ask another question, but refrained and allowed her to depart after some final injunction as to what she should do in case of certain emergencies.  Then he had a talk with the proprietor, which added little or nothing to his present knowledge; and these duties off his mind, he went downtown.

As he expected, he found the Chief Inspector awaiting him.  The death of Madame Duclos had added still another serious complication to the many with which this difficult affair was already encumbered, and he was anxious to talk over the matter with one who had been on the spot and upon whose impressions he consequently could rely.

But when he heard all that Mr. Gryce had to say on the subject, he grew as serious as the detective himself could wish, even going so far as to propose an immediate ride over to the District Attorney’s office.

Fortunately, they found that gentleman in and ready to listen, though it was evident he expected little from the conference.  But his temper changed as Mr. Gryce opened up his theory and began to substantiate it with facts.  The looks which he exchanged with the Chief Inspector grew more and more earnest and inquiring, and when Mr. Gryce reached that portion of his report which connected Mr. Roberts so indisputably with the arrow, he called in his assistant and together they listened to what Mr. Gryce had further to say.