ious answer.
"You are multiplying needless dangers. Why don't you have him arrested
now--the phonograph records will identify his voice, will they not? The
diary will show his career, and everything seems complete in the case."

Shirley sat down in the window-seat, before replying.

"It is just my own vanity, then, perhaps. I am foolish enough to believe
that I can trap him on some crime which will give him the complete
punishment he deserves without dragging in the names of these
unfortunate old society men. All our trouble would be for nothing, just
now, if the story came out. The phonograph records helped me--but
I prefer to keep that method to myself, as a matter of interest and
selfishness. Somewhere, in that beautiful apartment of his there must be
clues which will send him to the electric chair on former crimes: Warren
is an artist who has handled other brushes than the ones he used on this
masterpiece. He is not a beginner. So, I must ransack his apartment."

"That is impossible, with all the care he takes with bolts and locks."

"We shall see. Meanwhile, I'll spin the yarn of the last thirty-six
hours. I'm sure your curiosity is whetted: my own is by no means
satisfied."

So he gave her a survey of the progress he had made. Helene brought
forth a number of typewritten pages which she had transcribed from the
diary, proudly exhibiting a machine which she had ordered sent up from
the hotel office.

"There, sir, we are unwinding the ravelings of his past life to an
extent. I have found a mysterious reference to a Montfluery case in
Paris, during August of last year. What can you do to investigate that
lead?"

Shirley jotted down the name, and answered: "A cable to the prefecture
of Police of the city of Paris from Captain Cronin will bring details.
That should be an added link in the chain, within the next twenty-four
hours. I am going to leave you for the while, as I wish to investigate a
certain yacht which is moored in the East River. That yacht is there for
a purpose--you remember his reference to the payment of supplies for
a two-month cruise. My amateurish vanity leads me to a hope that I can
capture him just at the crucial moment when he thinks he is successful
in his escape from pursuit."

"That is the childishness of the masculine mind," retorted Helene. "You
say we women are illogical, but we are essentially practical in the
small things. I would advise closing the doors before the horse escapes