his
factory for some months. Well, this morning a thought struck me, and
I've been to Paul's factory and have examined his books. And I found
out this: Emily Dodson was at work on the day preceding the murder, and
she has never been near the place since. Of course, that of itself may
mean nothing, but the coincidence struck me. It seemed a little
strange that she has never been to work since that day. I went to the
house where she lived and saw her mother. I asked to be allowed to see
her, but the door was closed in my face. It seems that she's been ill
ever since that time, and practically nothing is known of her."

The judge was silent for a considerable time. Evidently Mary's words
had given him food for thought.

"It may mean nothing, father," she went on. "But don't you see? Her
name has been associated with that of Wilson. Gossips say he has
treated her badly. She is also spoken of as one of those dark,
handsome, gipsy-looking girls, who is very passionate. Now then,
think. Might she not have had an opportunity of going to Paul's
office? Might she not by some means have got hold of this knife?
Remember, she was one of his workpeople."

The judge shook his head. "You have very slender evidence for your
assumption, Mary," he said sadly.

"Yes, but is it not strange that she never returned to work, and that
she's been ill in bed ever since? From what I can gather, she's had no
doctor, no one has been allowed to see her, and the night she ceased
working was the night when Ned Wilson was murdered."

"Her illness is easily accounted for," said the judge. "If she were
fond of Wilson, might not his death have so overwhelmed her that her
health broke down? Still----"

"I have seen all these objections," urged Mary. "But don't you see:
Paul didn't do it--he couldn't--his mother could not have done it, and
someone did! I know that what I've been thinking seems to rest upon
pure coincidence, but, father, I've thought, and thought, and thought,
until I'm sure!"

"Tell me more about it," said the judge.

Mary related her experiences of the day, told in detail of her visit to
the factory, described her examination of the books, and then related
her conversation with Emily Dodson's mother.

"Of course, prima facie," he said presently, "you have reasons for your
suspicions, but even if your suspicions are true, what can be done?
Unless we can prove that she took the knife, unless someone saw her
un