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“Sure—at the South Pole, for example. Put Hollywood out of your thoughts. Remember—Hawaii has the climate California thinks it has.”

The door closed behind Ballou and his wife. Van Horn, Martino and Jaynes followed promptly. Bradshaw returned to the living-room, where Julie and Diana had remained, leaving the fortune-teller and Charlie in the hall. Tarneverro picked up his hat.

“Inspector,” he remarked, “you have my sympathy. You are up against a puzzling case.”

“Also I have your help,” Chan reminded him. “The thought consoles me.”

Tarneverro shook his head. “I’m afraid you overestimate my powers. But whatever they are, they are ranged on your side. When am I to see you again?”

“I will call on you to-morrow morning,” Chan answered. “We will have good long talk. Perhaps, thinking deeply into matter over night, each of us will have new ideas to offer.”

“I shall try to supply my share,” nodded Tarneverro, and went out. For a moment Charlie stood looking at the door through which he had gone, then turning, he went into the living-room.

“Miss Dixon,” he said, “may I make further request of you? Will you ascend stairs with me and point out various rooms, naming the persons to whom they have been assigned? I still have a little searching to do before repose.”

“Of course,” nodded the actress, “and speaking of repose, I hope you'll search my room first. I feel all in after this dreadful evening.”

She and Charlie disappeared. With a forlorn gesture, Julie sank into a chair.