THE GLEAMING EYE "It's upstairs!" Dale took a step toward the alcove stairs.

Brooks halted her.
"Who's in this house besides ourselves ?" he queried.
"Only the detective, Aunt Cornelia, Lizzie, and Billy." "Billy's the Jap ?" "Yes." Brooks paused an instant.

"Does he belong to your aunt ?" "No.

He was Courtleigh Fleming's butler." Knock--knock--knock--knock the dull, methodical rapping on the ceiling of the living-room began again.
"Courtleigh Fleming's butler, eh ?" muttered Brooks.

He put down his candle and stole noiselessly into the alcove.