There was a note found near the body
insisting on its being done. 'For safety,' it said, so I ordered it
looked to."

"You're in charge, then?"

"It's my house. And there are no relatives so far as I know. Come and
look at his papers. You won't find much."

In the old-fashioned desk was a heap of undecipherable matter,
interspersed with dates, apparently bearing upon scientific experiments;
a package of letters from the Denny Research Laboratories of St. Louis,
mentioning enclosure of checks; and three self-addressed envelopes
bearing New York postmarks, of dates respectively, March 12, March 14
and March 20. Each contained a date-stamped sheet of paper, similar to
that which Mr. Curtis Fleming had shown to Average Jones. The one of
earliest date bore two red dots; the second, three red dots, and the
third, two. All the envelopes were endorsed in Professor Moseley's
handwriting; the first with the one word "Filled." The second writing
was "Held for warmer weather." The last was inscribed "One in poor
condition."

Of these Average Jones made careful note, as well as of the laboratory
address. By this time the hissing of the fumigating apparatus had
ceased. The two men went to the conservatory and gazed in upon a ruin of
limp leaves and flaccid petals, killed by the powerful gases. Suddenly,
with an exclamation of astonishment, the investigator stooped and lifted
from the floor a marvel of ermine body and pale green wings. The moth,
spreading nearly a foot, was quite dead.

"Here's the mate, sir," said the fumigating expert, handing him another
specimen, a trifle smaller. "The place was crowded with all kinds of
pretty ones. All gone where the good bugs go now."

Average Jones took the pair of moths to the desk, measured them and laid
them carefully away in a drawer.

"The rest must wait," he said. "I have to send a telegram."

With the interested Mr. Curtis Fleming in attendance, he went to the
telegraph office, where he wrote out a dispatch.

"Mr. A. V. R. Jones?" said the operator. "There's a message here for
you."

Average Jones took the leaflet and read:

"Found gum on floor this morning when I arrived. MALCOLM DORR."

Then he recalled his own blank, tore it up, and substituted the
following, which he ordered "rushed":

MALCOLM DORR, STENGEL BUILDING, NEW YORY CITY:

"Leave office immediately. Do not return until it has been fumigated
thoroughly. Imperative. A. V. R. JONES."

"And now," said Aver