"I think
that Jap's crazy."
The Doctor began to struggle into his topcoat, avoiding any look
at Dale.
"Well," he said, "I believe I've fulfilled all the legal requirements
--I think I must be going." He turned toward the door but the
detective halted him.
"Doctor," he said, "did you ever hear Courtleigh Fleming mention a
Hidden Room in this house?"
If the Doctor started, the movement passed apparently unnoted by
Anderson. And his reply was coolly made.
"No--and I knew him rather well."
"You don't think then," persisted the detective, "that such a room
and the money in it could be the motive for this crime?"
The Doctor's voice grew a little curt.
"I don't believe Courtleigh Fleming robbed his own bank, if that's
what you mean," he said with nicely calculated emphasis, real or
feigned. He crossed over to get his bag and spoke to Miss Cornelia.
"Well, Miss Van Gorder," he said, picking up the bag by its blackened
handle, "I can't wish you a comfortable night but I can wish you a
quiet one."
Miss Cornelia watched him silently. As he turned to go, she spoke.
"We're all of us a little upset, naturally," she confessed. "Perhaps
you could write a prescription--a sleeping-powder or a bromide of
some sort."
"Why, certainly," agreed the Doctor at once. He turned back. Miss
Cornelia seemed pleased.
"I hoped you would," she said with a little tremble in her voice
such as might easily occur in the voice of a nervous old lady.
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