"For how long?" he asked.
"My lease is for six months. I shall stay until some explanation is
found for certain things. My own family is implicated now, and I shall
do everything to clear the mystery of Arnold Armstrong's murder."
The doctor stood looking down, slapping his gloves thoughtfully against
the palm of a well-looked-after hand.
"You say there have been intruders in the house?" he asked. "You are
sure of that, Miss Innes?"
"Certain."
"In what part?"
"In the east wing."
"Can you tell me when these intrusions occurred, and what the purpose
seemed to be? Was it robbery?"
"No," I said decidedly. "As to time, once on Friday night a week ago,
again the following night, when Arnold Armstrong was murdered, and
again last Friday night."
The doctor looked serious. He seemed to be debating some question in
his mind, and to reach a decision.
"Miss Innes," he said, "I am in a peculiar position; I understand your
attitude, of course; but--do you think you are wise? Ever since you
have come here there have been hostile demonstrations against you and
your family. I'm not a croaker, but--take a warning. Leave before
anything occurs that will cause you a lifelong regret."
"I am willing to take the responsibility," I said coldly.
I think he gave me up then as a poor proposition. He asked to be shown
where Arnold Armstrong's body had been found, and I took him there. He
scrutinized the whole place carefully, examining the stairs and the
lock. When he had taken a formal farewell I was confident of one
thing. Doctor Walker would do anything he could to get me away from
Sunnyside.