"I'm very tired. That's all. I'm on my way to the library to try to rest."
He freed his hand. The big man nodded approvingly.
"I'll send you a dose," he promised, "and don't you worry about your grandfather's having been murdered by
any man. I've seen the body. Stuff and nonsense! Detective's an ass. Waiting for coroner, although I know he's
one, too."
"I pray," Bobby answered listlessly, "that you're right."
"If there's any little thing I can do," Paredes offered formally.
"No, no. Thanks," Bobby answered.
He went on to the library. He glanced with an unpleasant shrinking from the door of the enclosed staircase
leading to the private hall just outside the room in which his grandfather lay dead. There was no fire here, but
he wrapped himself in a rug and lay on the broad, high-backed lounge which was drawn close to the fireplace,
facing it. His complete weariness conquered his premonitions, his feeling of helplessness. The entrance of
Jenkins barely aroused him.
"Where are you, Mr. Robert?"
"Here," Bobby answered sleepily.
The butler walked to the lounge and looked over the back.
"To be sure, sir. I didn't see you here."
He held out a glass.
"Doctor Groom said you were to drink this. It would make you sleep, sir."
Bobby closed his eyes again.
"Put it on the table where I can reach it when I want it."
"Yes, sir. Mr. Robert! The policeman? Did he say anything, if I might make so bold as to ask?"
"Go away," Bobby groaned. "Leave me in peace."
And peace for a little time came to him. It was the sound of voices in the room that aroused him. He lay for a
time, scarcely knowing where he was, but little by little the sickening truth came back, and he realized that it
was Graham and the detective, Howells, who talked close to the window, and Graham had already fulfilled his
promise.
Bobby didn't want to eavesdrop, but it was patent he would embarrass Graham by disclosing himself now, and
it was likely Graham would be glad of a witness to anything the detective might say.
It was still light. A ray from the low sun entered the window and rested on the door of the enclosed staircase.
Graham's anxious demand was the first thing Bobby heard distinctly--the thing that warned him to remain
secreted