ing to do for Mrs. Greene, I went to my room on the third floor. . . ."
"Therefore," interpolated Markham, "the bouillon was on Miss Ada's table unprotected for a minute or so after you had left the room and before Miss Ada came up from the lower hall."
"It wasn't over twenty seconds. And I was right outside the door all the time. Furthermore, the door was open, and I'd have heard any one in the room." The woman was obviously defending herself desperately against the imputation of negligence in Markham's remark.
Vance put the next question.
"Did you see any one else in the hall besides Miss Ada?"
"No one except Doctor Von Blon. He was in the lower hall getting into his coat when I called down."
"Did he leave the house at once?"
"Why—yes."
"You actually saw him pass through the door?"
"No-o. But he was putting on his coat, and he had said good-by to Mrs. Greene and me. . . ."
"When?"
"Not two minutes before. I'd met him coming out of Mrs. Greene's door just as I brought in the bouillon."
"And Miss Sibella's dog—did you notice it in the hall anywhere?"
"No; it wasn't around when I was there."
Vance lay back drowsily in his chair, and Markham again took up the interrogation.
"How long did you remain in your room, Miss O'Brien, after you had called Miss Ada?"
