Nila wasn't dead but was out cold, knocked unconscious apparently by a large brass candle-stick that lay on the carpet next to her . On the back of Nila's head, a gigantic lump had already risen .

Nancy could have kicked herself for taking so long getting up there . Thankfully, Nila hadn't been killed outright .

Nancy was now sure she was right . She had been blind ---- totally blind ---- but now she could see clearly . All the pieces fit neatly together at last .

She looked down the hall to the door of Eleanor's suite . It was, as Nancy had feared, slightly open . Nancy tiptoed down the hall . As she approached the room, she could hear noises inside ---- the sound of furniture being dragged around, drawers being opened and searched in the semidarkness .

Nancy edged her way inside . The sitting room was dark, lit only by moonlight, and by the fire in the room's fireplace, which had died down to embers .

The noise was coming from the darkened bedroom . Nancy went silently to the door and stood there, looking inside . It was dark, but the moonlight cast its shadow on the outline of a woman, rifling the drawers of Eleanor's bureau, pulling them out and...