right, Nick."

"I am convinced of it. Also that there's a mystery here which cannot be
solved in a moment," said Nick, impressively. "I wish to conceal these
discoveries until after I have considered them more fully, and also
identified this girl. See if you can find her purse, or anything that
will reveal her name."

While Chick was thus engaged, Nick arose and glanced sharply around in
search of any evidence indicating that such a crime could have been
committed unobserved in so public a place.

The seat which the girl had occupied stood on the greensward, about
eight feet from the gravel walk. By several clusters of shrubbery some
feet away at either side, the seat was somewhat obscured from the view
of persons approaching along the walk from either direction. Several
trees cast shadows nearly over the spot, which was one very likely to
have been selected by a couple desirous of being somewhat alone while
resting from an afternoon stroll.

Nick quickly noted these several features, then glanced at Chick and
asked:

"Do you find anything?"

"Nothing by which to identify her."

"Her purse?"

"It contains only a few pieces of silver. No cards, nor so much as a
scrap of paper. Other than her purse, there is only a latchkey in her
pocket, and a perfectly plain handkerchief. Her identification must come
later."

"I guess we have missed nothing here," nodded Nick. "I'll have just a
word with Fogarty, and then we'll go along."

"What do you make of it, Detective Carter?" inquired the officer, as
Nick approached.

"I am not prepared to say," replied Nick, ignoring the startled glances
of the several men who heard his name and now beheld the great detective
for the first time.

"The girl is dead, sir, isn't she?"

"Oh, yes; there is no doubt of that," bowed Nick. "It may be a case of
heart failure. You had better take the proper steps for the removal of
the body. This box and wrapping paper, however, I am going to take with
me, and will be responsible for them."

"All right, sir."

"By the way, Fogarty, how long ago did you discover the body?"

"Scarce a minute before you came, sir."

"Were you the first to see it?"

"I was, sir."

"Had you seen the girl about here before during the afternoon?"

"No, sir."

"Did you see anybody leaving here just before you arrived and discovered
the body?"

"I did not, sir."

"That's all, Fogarty. I'll get any other particulars later."

Thereupon, as Nick wa