The Green God. Kummer Frederic Arnold

was right, as indeed, did I, and I waited anxiously for her next words.

      "I last saw Mr. Ashton," she answered, with a faint blush, "last night about midnight."

      Her answer was as much of a surprise to me as it evidently was to both Major Temple and the detective.

      "Muriel," exclaimed the former, in horrified tones.

      "I went to his room immediately after he retired," continued Miss Temple, with evident effort. "I wished to tell him something – something important – before the morning, when it might have been too late. I was afraid to stand in the hallway and talk to him through the open door for fear I should be seen. I went inside. I must have dropped the handkerchief at that time."