ransacked, no direct clue to
the perpetrator has been found--nothing that gives any idea of his
personality save his display of strength and great cupidity. The police
have even deigned to consult me,--an unusual procedure--but I could find
nothing, either. Evidences of fiendish purpose abound--of relentless
search--but no clue to the man himself. It's uncommon, isn't it, not to
have any clue?"

"I suppose so." Miss Strange hated murders and it was with difficulty
she could be brought to discuss them. But she was not going to be let
off; not this time.

"You see," he proceeded insistently, "it's not only mortifying to the
police but disappointing to the press, especially as few reporters
believe in the No-thoroughfare business. They say, and we cannot but
agree with them, that no such struggle could take place and no such
repeated goings to and fro through the house without some vestige being
left by which to connect this crime with its daring perpetrator."

Still she stared down at her hands--those little hands so white and
fluttering, so seemingly helpless under the weight of their many rings,
and yet so slyly capable.

"She must have queer neighbours," came at last, from Miss Strange's
reluctant lips. "Didn't they hear or see anything of all this?"

"She has no neighbours--that is, after half-past five o'clock. There's
a printing establishment on one side of her, a deserted mansion on the
other side, and nothing but warehouses back and front. There was no one
to notice what took place in her small dwelling after the printing house
was closed. She was the most courageous or the most foolish of women to
remain there as she did. But nothing except death could budge her. She
was born in the room where she died; was married in the one where she
worked; saw husband, father, mother, and five sisters carried out
in turn to their graves through the door with the fanlight over the
top--and these memories held her."

"You are trying to interest me in the woman. Don't."

"No, I'm not trying to interest you in her, only trying to explain her.
There was another reason for her remaining where she did so long after
all residents had left the block. She had a business."

"Oh!"

"She embroidered monograms for fine ladies."

"She did? But you needn't look at me like that. She never embroidered
any for me."

"No? She did first-class work. I saw some of it. Miss Strange, if I
could get you into that house for ten minutes--n