ut nothing else. He must have paid his last
dime for his car fare."

"But his railroad ticket? What became of that? Surely that would have
indicated his destination?"

"That was the strange part of it; he must have been stealing a ride. No
railroad ticket was found on his person. We searched for that. Possibly
he was a tramp, or he might have been 'busted' and had determined to
steal a ride, and was seeking to dodge the conductor when he fell off
the train and was killed. At any rate no ticket was found. We searched
for it, I remember."

Our hero knew that the old man must have had some money; there was a
little side mystery in none being found on his person, but a clue had
been obtained--a very startling one--and Jack was delighted with his
success thus far, but he little dreamed of the many strange and
conflicting incidents he was destined to be called upon to unravel.

Jack held a long talk with Mr. Douglas, only partially explaining his
purpose, and finally succeeded in getting the old man to consent to loan
him the clothes. Our hero had formed a very novel and startling plan to
make his identification complete.

During the course of the day Jack had the clothes transferred to his own
apartments, and there he gave them a thorough cleaning, and later held a
long talk with his brother Gil. He determined to call upon the latter to
perform a part in one of the most dramatic scenes that could be
conceived.

During the afternoon Jack sent word to Mr. Townsend that he would call
upon him that same evening at about eleven o'clock, adding that he had
some very important facts to impart.

Exactly at the hour named the detective was on hand. The banker was
expecting him, and greeted him with the complimentary salutation:

"Well, Mr. Wonderful, what have you discovered?"

"I have some very important questions to ask."

"Proceed; I will answer all your questions to the best of my ability."

"One word as a matter of precaution: sir, your heart is perfectly
sound?"

"I believe so."

"You are a man of nerve?"

"I have always been so credited."

"You would not be overcome by a sudden surprise?"

"I think not."

"You are not superstitious?"

"I am not."

"And generally a man of courage?"

"I believe so, but I cannot discern what these singular questions mean."

"You will understand later on, for I have some startling disclosures to
make."

"Then you have really made a discovery?"

"It is possible that