proportion. You see, I've known
old Bates ever since I was a youngster, and we've always been good
friends. He got in the habit years ago of bringing his troubles to me
and talking them over--'blowing off steam,' he always called it! That
was how we happened to have that talk a few days ago. Simon had been
unusually querulous even for him--and he could be very trying at times.
Bates had suffered a long while in silence, and when he got a chance to
air his grievance to me he--he blew off quite a lot of steam first and
last! He chiefly resented Simon's attitude toward Lucy, and I couldn't
blame him there. One thing led to another, and that's how we came
finally to agree that the world would be a brighter little planet if
Simon no longer lived on it." Miss Ocky shrugged her shoulders. "The
sort of thing that means nothing at the time but sounds like the very
devil after a man is found murdered!"

"Yes, it does," answered Creighton gravely. "I had no idea you two had
been contemplating the possible death of Simon Varr. That is not at
all a pleasant bit of news."

"You--you had no idea! You had no--!" Miss Ocky sat up very straight.
"Didn't Bates tell you that?" she demanded crisply.

"No. He told me much, but he wouldn't tell me the subject of your
conversation with him because he'd promised you he wouldn't. He was
adamant. That's why I've had to get it out of you."

"Oh!" She slumped again into her chair. "You--you _creature_!"

"I know," he said apologetically. "But what's a man to do if people
hold out on him?"

"I suppose," said Miss Ocky in a small voice, "this is a judgment on me
for wondering how a detective works!"

"Possibly. Did he make any threats?"

"_No!_" said Miss Ocky.

"Um. Would you tell me if he did?"

"N-no," said the lady.

"It makes a fellow long for the days of the Spanish Inquisition," said
Creighton, addressing the fireplace. He added darkly, "There are
several persons around that I could enjoy putting on a cozy little
rack!"

"It's no use being bloodthirsty," she informed him. "As for Bates--!
Oh, I do wish you'd stop getting ideas into your head!"

"I can't. It's the sort of head that gets 'em!"

"Well, I wish you'd draw the line at Bates! Why, I've known him all my
life!"

"There is always some one to say that about any criminal. Always some
one to say it isn't possible. The awful thing is, it is possible."

"But--Bates! How could any one associate