"I made an appointment with him after I had tried all day to get him on the 'phone or to see him. That was Thursday, the day I reached town."
"He was in Colorado Springs all that day," explained James.
"Yes, he told me so when I reached him finally at the City Club. He didn't want to see me, but I wouldn't let him off till he agreed. So he told me to come to the Paradox and he would give me ten minutes. He told me not to come till nearly ten, as he would be busy. I think he hoped that by putting it so late and at his rooms he would deter me from coming. But I intended to see him. He couldn't get away from me so easily as that. I went."
Jack moistened dry lips. His debonair ease had quite vanished. "When did you go?"
"It was quite a little past a quarter to ten when I reached his rooms."
"Did you meet any one going up or coming down?" asked James.
"A man and a woman passed me on the stairs."
"A man and a woman," repeated Jack, almost in a whisper. His attitude was tense. His eyes burned with excitement.
"Was it light enough to tell who they were?" James asked. His cold eyes did not lift from hers until she answered.
"No. It was entirely dark. The woman was on the other side of the man. I wouldn't have been sure she was a woman except for the rustle of her skirts and the perfume."
"Sure it wasn't the perfume you use yourself that you smelled?"
"You stick to it that you met a man and a woman, but couldn't possibly recognize either of them," James Cunningham said, still looking straight at her.
She hesitated an instant. Somehow she did not quite like the way he put this. "Yes," she said steadily.
"No. I'm not used to automatic elevators. I rang when I got to the door. Nobody answered, but the door was wide open. I rang again, then went in and switched on the light. There didn't seem to be anybody in. I didn't feel right about it. I wanted to go. But I wouldn't because I thought maybe he--your uncle--was trying to dodge me. I looked into the bedroom. He wasn't there. So after a little I went to a door into another room that was shut and knocked on it. I don't know why I opened it when no answer came. Something seemed to move my hand to the knob. I switched the light on there."
The girl gulped. She made a weak, small gesture with her hand, as though to push from her mind the horrible sight her eyes had looked upon. "He was dead, in the chair, tied to it. I think I screamed. I'm not sure. But I switched off the light and shut the door. My knees were weak, and I felt awf'lly queer in the head. I was crazy to get away from the place, but I couldn't seem to have the power to move. I leaned against the door, weak and limp as a small puppy. Then I heard some one comin' up the stairs, and I knew I mustn't be caught there. I switched off the lights just as some one came to the landing outside."