is my name--third vice-president of the Great Eastern Life
Insurance Company. I am the nominal head of the company's private
detective force, and though I have some pretty clever fellows on
my staff we've got a case that, so far, none of us has been able to
unravel. I'd like to consult you about it."

Kennedy expressed his entire willingness to be consulted, and after the
usual formalities were over, Mr. Andrews proceeded.

"I suppose you are aware that the large insurance companies maintain
quite elaborate detective forces and follow very keenly such of the
cases of their policy-holders as look at all suspicious. This case which
I wish to put in your hands is that of Mr. Solomon Morowitch, a wealthy
Maiden Lane jeweller. I suppose you have read something in the papers
about his sudden death and the strange robbery of his safe?"

"Very little," replied Craig. "There hasn't been much to read."

"Of course not, of course not," said Mr. Andrews with some show of
gratification. "I flatter myself that we have pulled the wires so as to
keep the thing out of the papers as much as possible. We don't want to
frighten the quarry till the net is spread. The point is, though, to
find out who is the quarry. It's most baffling."

"I am at your service," interposed Craig quietly, "but you will have
to enlighten me as to the facts in the case. As to that, I know no more
than the newspapers."

"Oh, certainly, certainly. That is to say, you know nothing at all and
can approach it without bias." He paused and then, seeming to notice
something in Craig's manner, added hastily: "I'll be perfectly frank
with you. The policy in question is for one hundred thousand dollars,
and is incontestable. His wife is the beneficiary. The company is
perfectly willing to pay, but we want to be sure that it is all straight
first. There are certain suspicious circumstances that in justice to
ourselves we think should be cleared up. That is all--believe me. We are
not seeking to avoid an honest liability."

"What are these suspicious circumstances?" asked Craig, apparently
satisfied with the explanation.

"This is in strict confidence, gentlemen," began Mr. Andrews. "Mr.
Morowitch, according to the story as it comes to us, returned home late
one night last week, apparently from his office, in a very weakened,
a semiconscious, condition. His family physician, Doctor Thornton, was
summoned, not at once, but shortly. He pronounced Mr. Morowitch to be
s