that I wished to relieve his mind
somewhat; but, on the other hand, I did not wish to raise his hopes
unnecessarily, lest some unforeseen thing might occur to overthrow my
theory entirely. I replied, therefore:

"Mr. Gordon, I may think I have a clue now, which, on mature reflection,
may prove worthless; hence, I should prefer to take a day, before giving
my opinion."

"You are right, Mr. Pinkerton," he said; "I should feel worse to have my
hopes raised, only to be dashed down again, than if I had never expected
anything. Take your own time, and then let us know the result."

"There are two questions more, which I would like answered," I said.
"Was it possible for any person to have entered the bank by force? That
is, were there any indications whatever, to show that the murderer might
have possibly gained entrance during George's absence at dinner?"

"No; none at all. The sheriff made a very careful examination of all the
windows, and both doors," replied Mr. McGregor. "He thought that a gang
of gamblers, who stopped here a few weeks, might have used nippers on
the key of the side door after George had locked it, and that they had
then stolen upon George, at his desk, and killed him; but, there were
no evidences that such was the case."

"Well, did any one, except you three gentlemen, know the private signal
by which those inside the bank could tell that the person at the door,
was one of the bank officers?"

"I am not sure about that," said Mr. Gordon; "possibly some of our
well-known friends might have been with us when we gained admittance to
the bank, but I cannot say that I think they ever learned the signal."

"You think, however, that Patterson, Drysdale, Flanders, or Caruthers,
_might_ have known it?"

"Yes; in fact, on thinking it over, I feel quite sure that Mr. Patterson
and Mr. Drysdale did know it."

"Well, I don't think I have any more questions to ask," I said. "I shall
be here promptly at eight o'clock to-morrow evening, and if you should
wish to communicate with me before that time, send me a message, and I
will call at the bank. This will not attract attention, as my business
is supposed to be cotton buying, and a visit at the bank will not be
considered unusual."

I then took charge of the papers, etc., and went to my room at the
hotel. I merely glanced at the buttons, and bank note, hastily, as I
knew they could serve only as corroboratory evidence in the event of
obtaining a weak chain