castle. The place has been like a prison since Wilmersley's marriage." "No one regretted that as much as Lord Wilmersley," said the vicar. "He often spoke to me about it. But he had the choice between placing Lady Wilmersley in an institution or turning the castle into an asylum. He chose the latter alternative, although it was a great sacrifice. I have rarely known so agreeable a man or one so suited to shine in any company. It was unpardonable of Lady Upton to have allowed him to marry without warning him of her granddaughter's condition. But he never had a word of blame for her." "It was certainly a pity he did not have Lady Wilmersley put under proper restraint. If he had only done so, he would be alive now," said the coroner. "So you believe that she murdered his lordship?" "Undoubtedly. Who else could have done it? Who else had a motive for doing it. My theory is that her ladyship wanted to escape, that his lordship tried to prevent her, and so she shot him. Don't you agree with me, Mr. Judson?" "It is impossible for me to express an opinion at present. I have not had time to collect enough data," replied the detective pompously. "He puts on such a lot of side, I believe he's an ass," thought Cyril, heaving a sigh of relief. "But what about the missing jewels?" he said aloud. "Their disappearance certainly provides a motive for the crime?" "Yes, but only Lord and Lady Wilmersley knew the combination of the safe." "Who says so?" "All the servants are agreed as to that. Besides, a burglar would hardly have overlooked the drawers of Lord Wilmersley's desk, which contained about £300 in notes." "The thief may not have got as far as the library. Lady Wilmersley occupied the blue room, I suppose." "Not at all. At the time of his marriage Lord Wilmersley ordered a suite of rooms on the ground floor prepared for his bride's reception," replied the vicar. "And this swimming-bath? Where is that? There was none when I was here as a child." "No, it was built for Lady Wilmersley and adjoins her private apartments," said the vicar. "But all these rooms are on the ground floor. It must be an easy matter to enter them. Consequently----" "Easy!" interrupted Twombley; "not a bit of it! But come and see for yourself." Crossing the hall they paused at a door. "Now this door and that one next to it, which is the door of Lady Wilmersley's bedroom," said the coroner, "are the only ones in this wing which communicate with the rest of the castle, and both were usually kept locked, not only at night, but during the daytime. You will please notice, my lord," continued the coroner, as they entered the library, "that both doors are fitted with an ingenious device, by means of which they can be bolted and unbolted from several seats in this room and from the divans in the
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