culars of the sad affair," resumed
Raymond Case. "The newspapers have been full of it."

"I know that the pair were found murdered. I have not looked into
details, being so busy with other matters."

"It was an outrageous deed, Mr. Adams!" cried the young man, jumping up
and beginning to pace the floor. "One of the foulest of which I have
ever heard."

"A murder is always foul, no matter under what circumstances it is
committed. What do you wish me to do?"

"Find the murderer."

"That may not be easy. Are not other detectives already working on the
case?"

"Yes, but they are only local men and not worth their salt."

"They may be doing all that can be done. It is a mistake to presume
that every mystery of this sort can be solved. Here in New York men go
to their death every year and nobody ever finds out how, or by what
hand."

"But the local men simply jump at conclusions. They are a set of blind
fools, and--" The young man stopped short.

Adam Adams smiled faintly. He knew something of the bungling work done
by detectives of small caliber. Had he not himself once saved a poor
Jew from hanging after several country detectives had apparently proved
the fellow guilty? And had not those same sleuths of the law been
angry at him ever since?

"Excuse me, Mr. Case, but how is it that you take an interest in this
affair?" he asked. "Are you related to the Langmores in any way?"

"I am not." The young man began to blush. "Is it necessary that I
tell you why?" he stammered.

"It is not necessary for you to tell me anything," responded the
detective dryly.

"I didn't mean to say--"

"Let me give you a word of advice. Never try to get a detective to do
anything for you unless you are willing to tell him all you know and
all you suspect. It is generally hard enough to solve an enigma
without having other mysteries attached to it."

The young man lowered his face and looked confused for a moment.

"Then I will tell you everything," he said. "You may take notes if you
wish."

"It is not necessary, since I have a good memory."

"The Langmores lived just on the outskirts of the town, on the road
leading to Sidham, which is several miles distance."

"I have a general idea of the location."

"The house is a fine, old-fashioned stone mansion, setting well back
from the road, and surrounded by a well-kept lawn and numerous trees
and bushes. At the rear of the garden is a small stream, which fl