microscopic test----"

"And found?"

"That the points of resemblance were marked. The pigment crystals
were exactly alike."

"From which you inferred----"

"That the blood found in the trunk and that taken from the floor of
the house came from the same person."

"Do you think, Doctor, that it is the blood of Dr. Cronin?"

"There is not the least doubt of it in my mind. It is almost
certain that the doctor's body was in that trunk. If this is so,
there can be little doubt that he met his death in the house on
Ashland avenue."

THE CARLSONS TELL THEIR STORY.

After sending for Dr. Brandt and his colleague, the two police captains
lost no time in putting the Carlsons on the rack. It was evident from
the start that the family had known all about the condition of the
interior of the cottage for days, if not weeks. They had hesitated about
notifying the police, however, for fear that difficulty would be
experienced in renting the cottage if the facts became known; while, at
the same time, they were afraid to destroy and efface the evidences of
the crime that they realized had been committed. Mrs. Carlson did not
need any pressing to tell what she knew. From her story it was
developed that on March 20th a tall, slender, pale-faced young man
called at her house to learn the rent of the cottage. He was told he
could have it for $12 monthly. The amount suited him, and he paid a
month's rent in advance, without being requested to do so, and received
the key. He went on to say that his name was Frank Williams, that he had
two brothers and a sister, who would live with him, and that the sister
would keep house. They were coming from Baltimore, and would join him in
a day or two. He took the keys and went away, but the sister never came.

[Illustration: THREE OF THE CARLSON FAMILY.]

For a month there were no outward signs that the mysterious Frank
Williams intended to occupy the building he had rented. Mrs. Carlson
became very uneasy.

Nearly seven weeks prior to the disappearance of the physician, or to be
precise, on Wednesday, March 20th, just about the noon hour, a man of
medium size, with dark hair and eyes, a full mustache, a derby hat,
pulled well down over his forehead, and a heavy overcoat buttoned up
around him, had knocked at the door of the little cottage occupied by
the Carlsons. Mrs. Carlson herself was absent at the time, but her
husband