he placed on a tabarette, on
which, near him, rested a box of cigars, that he spoke. Then he said:

"If I could find out why Singa Phut used this watch I'd be in a better
position to answer," and from the package the detective took the
timepiece which he had kept after Donovan had given it to him to
examine.

"You mean you're not sure about Darcy?"

"Well, I thought I was. At first I had my doubts. Then, when I had
looked over the ground and talked with Miss Mason and him, I was
willing to take up his case just because I believed he had nothing to
do with the murder."

The colonel, who had taken the watch from some tissue paper in which it
was wrapped, laid it down on the low stool, and turned his attention to
his visitor. Chet with a whine and stretch, indicating that he was
warmed and rested, and would not object to a little play, walked slowly
over toward the colonel.

"But," went on the detective, "since the finding of the electric wires
running to Darcy's desk--Jack, I tell you what it is. You helped me
out wonderfully on that robbery of the Chatham bank, when the cashier
ran some wires to the time lock and had it open five hours ahead of
time, I wish you'd come and have a look at those wires with me. Maybe
you could give me a hint that would clear up some of the doubt I have
regarding Darcy."

"All right, Colonel, I'll come. But I think I'd better follow King
now. He's got a date with Larch, the hotel keeper, and there may be
something in it."

"Oh, go by all means! The wires will keep. Here, I'll give you an
idea about how they run," and the colonel drew a sort of diagram of the
jewelry store, indicating the showcase where the hidden wires had been
found, explaining to his man the effect on the young woman clerk who
had been shocked.

Jack Young studied the diagram carefully and shook his head. The
colonel, meanwhile, sat back and waited. Chet was worrying the tissue
paper in which the Indian's watch was wrapped.

"Well, Colonel, I'll tell you what it is," said Jack, after a series of
questions, "I'd have to see the place to get at any right idea of it.
Not to cast any aspersions on your ability as an artist, I can't just
make out how the wires run, from this sketch," and he smiled, after
having studied the drawings for perhaps ten minutes.

"Don't blame you a bit!" laughed the colonel. "I never was much on
pencil work. But now you follow Harry King. If you need more money,
come to m