course it is," Quest answered. "Everything in the room is mine."

"The girl would fight to defend herself," the Inspector remarked slowly,
"but she could never strike a man such a blow as your valet died from."

Once more he stooped and picked up a small clock. It had stopped at
eleven-fifteen. He looked at it thoughtfully.

"Quest," he said, "I'll have to ask you a question."

"Why not?" Quest replied, looking quickly up.

"Where were you at eleven-fifteen?"

"On tower Number 10 of the New York Central, scrapping for my life," Quest
answered grimly. "I've reason to remember it."

Something in the Inspector's steady gaze seemed to inspire the
criminologist suddenly with a new idea. He came a step forward, a little
frown upon his forehead.

"Say, French," he exclaimed, "you don't--you don't suspect me of this?"

French was unmoved. He looked Quest in the eyes.

"I don't know," he said.

CHAPTER VI

ON THE RACK

1.

For the moment a new element had been introduced into the horror of the
little tableau. All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the
Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.

"Perhaps," he suggested, "you would like to ask me a few questions?"

"Perhaps I may feel it my duty to do so," the Inspector replied gravely.
"In the first place, then, Mr. Quest, will you kindly explain the
condition of your clothes?"

Quest looked down at himself quickly. More than ever he realised the
significance of his dishevelled appearance.

"I travelled from number ten tower, just outside New York, on top of a
freight car," he said grimly. "It wasn't a very comfortable ride."

"Perhaps you will explain what made you take it, then?" the Inspector
continued.

Quest shrugged his shoulders.

"Here you are, then," he replied. "This morning I decided to make an
attempt to clear up the mystery of Macdougal's disappearance. I sent on my
secretary, Miss Laura, to make friends with the section boss, and Lenora
and I went out by automobile a little later. We instituted a search on a
new principle, and before very long we found Macdougal's body. That's one
up against you, I think, Inspector."

"Very likely," the Inspector observed. "Go on, please."

"I left the two young ladies, at Miss Lenora's wish, to superintend the
removal of the body. I myself had an engagement to deliver over her jewels
to Mrs. Rheinholdt here at mid-day. I returned to where my automobile was
wa