to Professor
Gehren, of the Metropolitan University; and finally at 4:30 P. m. to Mr.
Robert Bertram. When, only a moment before five, the Ad-Visor entered,
the manner of his apology was more absent than fervent.

Bertram held out a newspaper to him.

"Cast your eye on that," said he. "The Register fairly reeks with freaks
lately."

Average Jones read aloud.

SMITH-PERKINS, formerly 74 Bellair-Send
map present location H. C. Turkish Triumph
about smoked out. MERCY--Box 34, Office.

"Oh, I don't know about its being so freakish," said Average Jones.

"Nonsense! Look at it! Turkish Triumph--that's a cigarette, isn't it? H.
C.--what's that? And signed Mercy. Why, it's the work of a lunatic!"

"It's my work," observed Average Jones blandly.

The three visitors stared a him in silence.

"Rather a forlorn hope, but sometimes a bluff will go," he continued.

"If H. C. indicates Harvey Craig, as I infer," said Professor Gehren
impatiently, "are you so infantile as to suppose that his murderer will
give information about him?"

Average Jones smiled, drew a letter from his pocket, glanced at it and
called for a number in Hackensack.

"Take the 'phone, Professor Gehren," he said, when the reply came. "It's
the Cairnside Hospital. Ask for information about Harvey Craig."

With absorbed intentness the other three listened to the one-sided
conversation.

"Hello!... May I speak to Mr. Harvey Craig's doctor?... This is
Professor Gehren of the Metropolitan University... Thank you, Doctor.
How is he?... Very grave?... Ah, has been very grave .... Wholly out of
danger?... What was the nature of his illness?

"When may I see him?... Very well. I will visit the hospital to-morrow
morning. Thank you.... I should have expected that you would notify me
of his, presence." intervened, then "Good-by."

"It is most inexplicable," declared Professor Gehren, turning to the
others. "The doctor states that Harvey was brought there at night, by a
foreigner who left a large sum of money to pay for his care, and
certain suggestions for his treatment. One detail, carefully set down
in writing, was that if reddish or purple dots appeared under Harvey's
nails, he was to be told that Mr. Smith released him and advised his
sending for his friends at once."

"Reddish or purple dots, eh?" repeated Average Jones. "I should
like--er--to have talked with--er--that doctor before you cut off."

"And I, sir," said the professor