purple face he shot a swift furtive
glance in Gilmore's direction. So far he had told only the truth, but he
was living in terror of Moxlow's next question.

"Can you describe the man who crossed the roof,--for instance, how was
he dressed?" said Moxlow, with slow deliberation.

"He had on a derby hat and a dark overcoat," answered Montgomery after a
moment's pause.

He was speaking for Gilmore now, and his grimy lists closed convulsively
about the arms of his chair.

"Did you see his face?" asked Moxlow.

"Yes--" the monosyllable was spoken unwillingly, but with a kind of
dogged resolution.

"Was it a face you knew?"

Montgomery looked at Gilmore, whose fierce insistent glance was bent
compellingly on him. The recollection of the gambler's threats and
promises flashed through his mind.

"Was it a face you knew?" repeated Moxlow.

The handy-man gave him a sudden glare.

"Yes," he said in a throaty whisper.

"How could you tell in the dark?"

[Illustration: "Then I seen a man's derby hat come over the edge of the
shed."]

"It wasn't so terrible dark, with the snow on the ground. And I was
so close to him I could have put an apple in his pocket," Joe explained.

"Who was the man?" asked Moxlow.

"I thought he looked like John North," said Montgomery.

There was the silence of death in the room.

"You thought it was John North?" began Moxlow.

"Yes."

"When he spoke, you thought you recognized North's voice?"

"Yes."

"Were you sure?"

"I was pretty sure, boss--"

"Only pretty sure?"

"I thought it was Mr. North,--it looked like Mr. North, and I thought it
was him,--I thought so then and I think so now," said Montgomery
desperately.

"Are you willing to swear positively that it was John North?" demanded
Moxlow.

"No--" said the handy-man, "No,--I only say I thought it was John North.
He looked like John North, and I thought it was John North,--I'd have
said it was John North, but it all happened in a minute. I wasn't
thinkin' I'd ever have to say who it was I seen on the shed!"

"But your first distinct impression was that it was John North?"

"Yes."

"You have known John North for years?"

"All his life."

"Had you seen him recently?"

"I seen him Thanksgiving day along about four o'clock crossing the
Square."

"How was he dressed, did you notice?"

"He was dressed like the man in the alley,--he had on a black derby hat
and a dark brown overcoat."

"That's all," said Mox