did it."

"But how?"

"I don't know, excepting the--er--both were smothered. But let us
change the subject. It breaks me all up to think about it. I thought
a whole lot of my mother."

"Where is your brother?"

"I don't know exactly. He was in Los Angeles the last I heard of him.
I have sent messages to half a dozen places, but so far have received
no reply."

"He is a commercial traveler like yourself?"

"He was, up to two weeks ago. Traveled for a paint house, but he and
the firm had a row and Dick quit. He's a rolling stone, and that is
why I can't just locate him."

"Do you represent a paint house, too?" questioned Adam Adams, after a
pause, during which he appeared to enjoy the really fragrant Havana Tom
Ostrello had tended him.

"No, I'm with a drug house and have been for four years, one of the
best in the country, Alexander & Company, of Rochester, New York. I am
their salesman for New York and the Eastern States. We make some of
the most noted preparations in the trade."

"Alexander & Company, of Rochester," mused Adam Adams, thinking of the
bit of paper he had picked up from under the safe. "I believe I have
seen their place. Let me see, what street is it on?"

"Wadley street and runs through to Hill--a fine six-story concern, with
a laboratory that is second to none."

"Yes, I remember it now. I suppose you must have a pretty good
position with them."

"Fair. I think they ought to raise my salary," answered Tom Ostrello.
He stretched himself. "I feel sleepy--didn't get a wink last night.
When this affair is over I am going to ask for a week's vacation."

"I don't blame you," answered Adam Adams, with a quiet smile.

He settled back to smoke and his companion did the same, and thus the
remainder of the trip to the city passed. As he smoked the detective
revolved the new revelation in his mind. Tom Ostrello represented the
very drug firm whose advertisement had appeared, in part, on the bit of
paper picked up from under the library safe.

"And he was there hunting for something," thought the detective. "Was
it for that bit of paper or for the something that he secured in his
mother's room?"

At the depot the pair separated. Adam Adams lost no time in visiting
his office, where his assistant awaited him anxiously. "Well, Letty,
how are you this morning?" he said pleasantly, as he dropped into his
chair.

He gave the girl a bright smile and she smiled in return. Letty
Be