so as to
cause an accident to Mr. Felderson, he would have done it."

"You're crazy," Robinson sneered. "This thing's gone to your head.
How could they have known it was your brother-in-law's car?"

"By the big search-light in front. It's the only car in the state with
such a search-light. Mr. Felderson's car was so fast that the police
sometimes used it, and he had their permission to wear that light, as
you probably know. Also, it may have been dark enough to use the
search-light and yet light enough so that a car could be distinguished
at a hundred feet. If there was any light at all, that big
Peckwith-Pierce car could be recognized by any one." He was impressed.
I could see it by the thoughtful, shrewd look that, came into his eyes.
Already, he was making arrests by the wholesale, in his mind.

"But I can't go pulling these men for murder on such slight evidence as
that," he exploded.

"No one wants you to," I said sharply. "All I want you to do is to
help me find out whether those men were present when the accident
happened."

The idea of helping me didn't please him at all. As soon as I had
spoken I saw my error in not putting it the other way around.

"Now, Mr. Thompson, you better keep out of this," he advised, getting
to his feet. "I know that you are anxious to find out if these men had
anything to do with Mr. Felderson's death, but the case is in good
hands. We professionals can do a lot better, when there's no amateurs
messing about. You leave it to me!"

"Just as you say," I acquiesced. "Get busy, though, and if you find
out anything, let me know!"

Robinson stood a minute, turning his derby hat in his hands. I knew
what he was after.

"By the way," I added. "I'll pay all expenses."

His face brightened at once. "Well, now, that's good of you, Mr.
Thompson. I wasn't going to suggest anything like that, but it'll help
a lot."

I handed over several bills, which he pocketed with satisfaction.

"Don't you worry a minute, Mr. Thompson. We'll get those birds yet. I
was pretty sure they had something to do with it, all the time. You've
got the best man in the department on the job."

He put on his derby hat with a flourish and trotted out the door. I
recalled that I had told Mary I would see her, so I dismissed the
stenographers and locked up the office. It was a perfect morning, with
all the warm spicy perfumes of Indian summer. Overhead, a blue sky was
filled with tumbled