ng one
another through my brain. "Not so fast, Mr. District Attorney. The
disappearance of the will does not remove motive from the possibility of
Miss Lloyd's complicity in this crime--or Mr. Hall's either."

"How so?"

"Because, if Florence Lloyd thought her uncle was in possession of that
will, her motive was identically the same as if he had possessed it.
Now, she certainly thought he had it, for her surprise at the news of
its loss was as unfeigned as my own. And of course Hall thought the will
was among Mr. Crawford's effects, for he has been searching constantly
since the question was raised."

"But I thought that yesterday you were so sure of Miss Lloyd's
innocence," objected Mr. Goodrich.

"I was," I said slowly, "and I think I am still. But in the light of
absolute evidence I am only declaring that the non-appearance of that
will in no way interferes with the motive Miss Lloyd must have had if
she is in any way guilty. She knew, or thought she knew, that the will
was there, in her favor. She knew her uncle intended to revoke it
and make another in her disfavor. I do not accuse her--I'm not sure I
suspect her--I only say she had motive and opportunity."

As I walked away from Mr. Goodrich's office, those words rang in my
mind, motive and opportunity. Truly they applied to Mr. Hall as well as
to Miss Lloyd, although of course it would mean Hall's coming out from
the city and returning during the night. And though this might have
been a difficult thing to do secretly, it was by no means impossible. He
might not have come all the way to West Sedgwick Station, but might have
dropped off the train earlier and taken the trolley. The trolley! that
thought reminded me of the transfer I had picked up on the grass plot
near the office veranda. Was it possible that slip of paper was a clue,
and pointing toward Hall?

Without definite hope of seeing Gregory Hall, but hopeful of learning
something about him, I strolled back to the Crawford house. I went
directly to the office, and by good luck found Gregory Hall there alone.
He was still searching among the papers of Mr. Crawford's desk.

"Ah, Mr. Burroughs," he said, as I entered, "I'm glad to see you. If
detectives detect, you have a fine chance here to do a bit of good work.
I wouldn't mind offering you an honorarium myself, if you could unearth
the will that has so mysteriously disappeared."

Hall's whole manner had changed. He had laid aside entirely the grave