f foul play. And Colonel McIntyre had
given him only until Saturday night to solve the problem! Kent's
overwrought feelings found vent in an emphatic oath.

"Excuse me," exclaimed Sylvester mildly from the doorway. "I knocked and
understood you to say come in.

"Well, what is it?" Kent's nerves were getting a bit raw; a glance at
his watch showed him he had a slender margin only in which to reach
the court house in time for his appointment. Not even waiting for the
clerk's reply he snatched up his brief case and made for the private
door leading into the corridor. But he was destined not to get away
without another interruption.

As Sylvester was hastily explaining, "Two gentlemen to see you, Mr.
Kent," the clerk was thrust aside and Detective Ferguson entered,
accompanied by a deputy marshal.

"Sorry to detain you, Mr. Kent," exclaimed the detective. "I came to
tell you that Coroner Penfield has just called an inquest for this
afternoon to inquire into Jimmie Turnbull's death. Where's your partner,
Mr. Rochester?" looking around inquiringly.

"In Cleveland. Won't I do?" replied Kent, his appointment forgotten in
the news that Ferguson had just given him.

"No, we didn't come for legal advice," Ferguson smiled; then grew
serious. "What's Mr. Rochester's address?"

Kent walked over to his desk and picked up the telegram. "The City Club,
Cleveland," he stated.

"Thanks," Ferguson jotted down the address in his note-book. "Jones,
here," placing his hand on his companion, "came to serve Mr. Rochester
with a subpoena; he's wanted at the Turnbull inquest as a material
witness."

CHAPTER VIII. THE INQUEST

Coroner Penfield adjusted his eyeglasses and scanned the spectators
gathered for the Turnbull inquest. The room was crowded with both men
and women, the latter predominating, and the coroner decided that, while
some had come from a personal interest in the dead man, the majority
had been attracted by morbid curiosity. There was a stir among the
spectators as an inner door opened and the jury, led by the morgue
master filed into the room and took their places. Coroner Penfield rose
and addressed the foreman.

"Have you viewed the body?" he inquired.

"Yes, doctor," and the man sat down.

Coroner Penfield then concisely stated the reason for the inquest and
summoned Officer O'Ryan to the witness stand. The policeman stood, cap
in hand, while being sworn by the morgue master, and then took his place
on the