a bitterness all around. Or again, he might have thought that if
his step-father were dead his mother would inherit his money and so
plotted one murder, which, when he was discovered, ended in a second.
It will do no harm to have a talk with this young man."

He reached the Langmore mansion once more to find that Tom Ostrello had
departed for the city on necessary business but was coming back before
night. Then at the hotel he found a message from his own office
calling him to New York.

"You are going away, Mr. Adams?" said Raymond Case, who chanced to see
him departing.

"Not for long. I'll be back to-night or to-morrow."

"Anything new?"

"Nothing worth talking about, yet. I must hurry to catch the train.
What are you going to do?"

"I am waiting for the inquest. It will be a terrible trial for
Margaret." And the young man's face showed his concern.

"Tell her for me to make the best of it," answered Adam Adams and
hurried to the depot. The train was just coming in and he saw Tom
Ostrello get on board, and he entered the car directly behind the
commercial traveler. The young man passed through to the smoker and
the detective did the same. Two seats were vacant, directly across the
aisle from each other and each took one. Presently Ostrello looked at
Adam Adams and started slightly and then bowed.

"Excuse me, but I think I saw you up to the Langmore house," he began.

"Yes, I called on Miss Langmore. I believe you are Mrs. Langmore's
son."

"Yes. Come over, won't you?" Ostrello moved towards the window of the
car. "I've got to have a smoke to quiet my nerves, I'm so upset. Will
you have one?" And he presented a case full of choice Havana cigars.

"It must have upset you--it's enough to upset anybody," answered Adam
Adams, as they lit up. "It's a fearful happening, fearful."

"You are acting for Margaret, I heard."

"Yes--if there is a chance to do anything. Do you know anything of the
tragedy?"

"Not a thing, outside of what I have heard. When I got the telegram I
was fairly stunned. But let me tell you one thing."

"Well?"

"I don't think Margaret is guilty. A girl like her couldn't do such a
cold-blooded deed. Why, it's enough to make a man shiver to think of
it. It would take a hardened criminal to do such a thing. It's absurd
to even suspect her."

"What is your theory of the murders?"

"I hardly know what to think. If the house had been robbed I would say
tramps