But just what happened was never settled, for my father was
found unconscious on the floor of the passage outside my mother's
door. He couldn't remember anything clearly. The fact that there had
been several previous burglaries in town and that there were
valuables missing offered the only explanation."
The professor was silent so long that Desire added: "I'm sorry. I
should have told you before."
"What difference would it have made?" He roused himself. "Tell me
the rest of it. Did Li Ho think that your mother had been frightened
by a--thief?"
"I suppose so," in surprise. "Li Ho blamed himself terribly. He said
it was his fault. If they hadn't known he was in the cells all night
they might have suspected him. He acted so queerly. But of course
what he meant was that if he had been at home the thief would not
have broken in."
"There were evidences of his having broken in?"
"There was a window open."
"And were any of the stolen things recovered."
"Not that I ever heard of. And yet, I think perhaps some of them
were. I remember--" Desire paused and a painful flush crept into her
cheek.
"Yes?" prompted Spence gently.
"One of the lost things was an old-fashioned watch belonging to
mother. I used to listen to it ticking. And once, years after, I saw
it. Father had given it to--a friend of his. So, you see, he must
have got it back."
"I see." The professor was aware of a pricking along his spine. He
looked at the unconscious face of the girl and ventured another
question.
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