turned the knob of the door with the ground glass panel; but it
was fast. They passed into the store room, and so out into the hall.

"Any signs of the people from the coroner's office?" asked Ashton-Kirk
of the policeman who stood there.

"Someone just drove up a minute ago," answered the man. "I hear him
down there talking to Osborne now."

Ashton-Kirk was about to go down when there came a tramping on the
stairs. The big figure of the headquarters detective was first; after
him came a nervous, important looking young man and a stolid-faced old
one.

With a large gesture Osborne laid his hand upon Ashton-Kirk's
shoulder.

"Mr. Stillman," said he to the nervous looking young man, "this is Mr.
Ashton-Kirk. I guess you've heard of him."

The important manner of the young coroner visibly increased as he held
out his hand.

"I have heard of you frequently, sir," he stated, firmly, "and I am
quite delighted to meet you. More especially, sir, at a time like
this."

"A very nasty looking affair," returned the investigator. "Osborne has
been good enough to let me glance about," in explanation.

"I trust," said Stillman, "that you have disturbed nothing."

"Except for gathering up a few scattered pictures in the bedroom, we
have done nothing but look," assured Ashton-Kirk.

"I find that the exact conditions must remain if we are to secure even
a fairly good idea of the crime's environments," stated Stillman,
nervously. "It is a thing that I insist upon from the police in every
instance."

"Sure, sure," said Osborne. "Headquarters does its best never to make
trouble for you, Mr. Stillman."

The nervous young coroner seemed to be relieved to hear this. He waved
his hand in a gesture that might have meant anything and turned to the
stolid looking, elderly man who accompanied them. They conversed for a
few moments; the stolid man seemed to be explaining something
carefully, to which Stillman listened with the utmost attention.
Osborne bent his head toward Ashton-Kirk.

"The old party is a left-over in the coroner's office, of many years'
standing," said the detective. "He knows the ropes and puts the newly
elected ones on to the points of the game."

Stillman finally turned; there was an added importance in his manner,
and his nervousness had also increased.

"Mr. Osborne," said he, "please let us have what facts the police have
gathered."

"That won't take long," said Osborne. "Just before daylight--three
o