The Unknown still wore his air of dazed bewilderment, true or
feigned, but at least he was now able to walk without support.
They stared at him, at his tattered, muddy garments, at the threads
of rope still clinging to his ankles--and wondered. He returned
their stares vacantly.
"Come in," began Miss Cornelia. "Sit down." He obeyed both
commands docilely enough.
"Are you better now?"
"Somewhat." His words still came very slowly.
"Billy--you can go."
"I stay, please!" said Billy wistfully, making no movement to leave.
His gesture toward the darkness of the corridor spoke louder than
words.
Bailey watched him, suspicion dawning in his eyes. He could not
account for the butler's inexplicable terror of being left alone.
"Anderson intimated that the Doctor had an accomplice in this house,"
he said, crossing to Billy and taking him by the arm. "Why isn't
this the man?" Billy cringed away. "Please, no," he begged pitifully.
Bailey turned him around so that he faced the Hidden Room.
"Did you know that room was there?" he questioned, his doubts still
unquieted.
Billy shook his head.
"No."
"He couldn't have locked us in," said Miss Cornelia. "He was with
us."
Bailey demurred, not to her remark itself, but to its implication
of Billy's entire innocence.
"He may know who did it. Do you?"
Billy still shook his head.
Bailey remained unconvinced.
"Who did you see at the head of the small staircase?" he queried
imperatively.
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