ough fearful some one
would rob me of my find, or that the automobile might move away of its
own volition, then I ran to the house and rang the bell. All the
curtains were drawn and I had about decided there was no one at home,
when, after what seemed an interminable wait, I heard the sound of
footsteps within, and Wicks opened the door.

"Who'd you expect to see, Wicks, a policeman?" I asked.

"No, sir. One of those blarsted reporters, sir."

"Poor old Wicksy," I sympathized. "Well, it'll soon be over now. I
want to use the telephone."

I ran down the hall to the table where I knew the telephone to be, and
called up Simpson. He promised he would come right up.

The coroner demurred for a moment, pleading important business, but
when he heard I had proof that would clear Mrs. Felderson, he, too,
promised to be with me in a few minutes.

Wicks, who had been listening, was so excited that he momentarily
forgot himself and clutched me by the arm as I put down the receiver.

"Is it true, sir, that you can prove Mrs. Felderson 'ad nothing to do
with it?" he gasped.

"Truest thing you know, Wicks!"

"I fear I'm going to act unseemly, sir. I feel like yelling, 'ip, 'ip,
sir." Then he noticed he had me by the arm and hastily murmured
apology.

"That's all right, Wicksy, old top. Go as far as you like," I cried.
"I'm so happy and relieved I could kiss the Kaiser."

"You surely wouldn't do that, sir," Wicks reproved.

"All right, Wicks. I guess it's not being done this year."

The butler turned to leave but stopped at the door to say: "Mr. Woods
called about a week ago, sir."

"What did he want?" I demanded.

"He stated as 'ow 'e was after some papers concerning a business deal
that 'e and Mr. Felderson were interested in."

In the excitement over my discovery, I had completely forgotten the
real errand that had brought me to the house.

"What did you tell him, Wicks?"

"I told 'im that you had charge of all Mr. Felderson's effects, sir,
and that he could probably obtain them from you," the butler replied.

"That was right. Did he leave after that?"

"Shortly after that, sir," Wicks answered. "But first he asked for the
key to the garage, sayin' that 'e would like to hinspect the auto."

"Did you give it to him?" I snapped.

"Y-yes, sir. I saw no 'arm in that, sir."

I ran to the garage and quickly searched the broad pockets of Jim's
car. The portfolio was not there. I hurried toward the