enormous vitality, but I suppose that once the spleen has
been punctured it is only a question of hours when the strongest man
must die! But I only surmise Mr. Whitmore's intentions from the facts of
the case, for I never saw him alive after I left him in front of the
opera house."

Beard sat down, wearied and worn from the strain of his recital. Miss
Burden joined him and pressed a hand against his cheek. She did not
repel the arm he slipped about her waist.

[Illustration: She did not repel the arm he put around her waist]

Now that Beard had finished, everyone experienced a welcome sense of
relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted off their minds.

"I've come across many cases of wonderful nerve, but nothing to equal
the pluck of that man Whitmore!" exclaimed Manning, unable to contain
his growing admiration for the dead merchant.

"And he was one of the mildest-mannered men I ever met!" joined Beard.

The coroner, who had been making notes, now looked up at Britz. The
detective's face had relaxed into an expression of mingled pity and
contentment. Through the sorrow which the suffering of Mrs. Collins
aroused in him, shone the satisfaction which he could not but feel at
having finally squeezed all the mystery out of the Whitmore case.

"You believe Mr. Beard's statement, don't you?" the coroner inquired.

"I do."

"Then let us end this harrowing scene. I suppose my first duty is to
discharge Mrs. Collins from custody?"

"There is no longer any reason for holding her," said Britz.

"As for Ward, I shall have to hold him for the formal inquest," the
coroner announced.

"I don't believe he'll try to evade us," said Britz. "In view of all the
circumstances I believe we're justified in permitting him to go on his
own recognizance. Since Mr. Beard's story will undoubtedly be
substantiated by the others, Ward's acquittal is a foregone conclusion.
How soon can you hold the inquest?"

"I can impanel a coroner's jury to-morrow. But why this hurry?"

Britz shot a significant glance at Beard and Miss Burden. The
secretary's arm was still about her waist.

"Beard, you'd better take out a marriage license at once," suggested
Britz. "We're going to hold the inquest in this case to-morrow. You'll
be called as the first witness and we'll finish with you as quickly as
we can. There's a boat for Europe at two o'clock--it might be well for
you and your bride to make it. You might as well be abroad while I
wrestle