rs fitted
the marks, that would be the end of his case.

He left the courtyard intending to return to the Peveril and resume
the tracing of Miss Coburn, but before he reached the door of the great
building he was stopped. A gentleman had called to see him on urgent
business connected with the case.

It was Merriman--Merriman almost incoherent with excitement and
distress. He still carried the newspaper in his hand, which had so
much upset him. Willis pulled forward a chair, invited the other to be
seated, and took the paper. The paragraph was quite short, and read:

"MYSTERY OF A TAXI-CAB

"A tragedy which recalls the well-known detective novel The Mystery
of the Hansom Cab occurred last evening in one of the most populous
thoroughfares in London. It appears that about eight o'clock two men
engaged a taxi in Piccadilly to take them to King's Cross. Near the
Oxford Street end of Tottenham Court Road the driver was ordered to
stop. One of the men alighted, bade good-night to his companion, and
told the driver to proceed to King's Cross, where his friend would
settle up. On reaching the station there was no sign of the friend, and
a search revealed him lying dead in the taxi with a bullet wound in his
heart. From papers found on the body the deceased is believed to be a
Mr. Francis Coburn, but his residence has not yet been ascertained."

Inspector Willis laid down the paper and turned to his visitor.

"You are interested in the case, sir?" he inquired.

"I knew him, I think," Merriman stammered. "At least I know someone of
the name. I--"

Willis glanced keenly at the newcomer. Here was a man who must, judging
by his agitation, have been pretty closely connected with Francis
Coburn. Suspicious of everyone, the detective recognized that there
might be more here than met the eye. He drew out his notebook.

"I am glad you called, sir," he said pleasantly. "We shall be very
pleased to get any information you can give us. What was your friend
like?"

His quiet, conversational manner calmed the other.

"Rather tall," he answered anxiously, "with a long pale face, and small,
black, pointed mustache."

"I'm afraid, sir, that's the man. I think if you don't mind you had
better see if you can identify him."

"I want to," Merriman cried, leaping to his feet "I must know at once."

Willis rose also.

"Then come this way."

They drove quickly across town. A glance was sufficient to tell Merrim