Returning, they replaced the screen, and, telling Painter to be more on the alert, went back shivering to the fire in the dining-room.

When they were seated again, Archie put a question.
"Do you think that policeman was dreaming ?" he asked meditatively.
"No," replied Random sharply.

"I believe that the man who assaulted Mrs.
Jasher is hanging about, and ventured back into the room, relying on the fog as a means of escape, should he be spotted." "But the man wouldn't be such a fool as to return into danger." "Not unless he wanted something very badly," said Random significantly.
Hope let the cigarette he was lighting fall.
"What do you mean ?" "I may be wrong, of course.

But it is my impression that there is something in the parlor which this man wants, and for which he tried to murder Mrs.Jasher.We interrupted him, and he was forced to flee.
Hidden in the fog, he is lurking about to see if he can't obtain what he has risked his neck to secure." "What can it be ?" murmured Archie, struck by the feasibility of this theory.
"Perhaps the second emerald," remarked Sir Frank grimly.
"What! You don't think that--" "I don't think anything.

I am too tired to think at all.