aled to Ashton-Kirk.

"The last time he had me here, he made me toil like a day laborer, and
feed like his helper," said he, gloomily. "But I've got to stand it,
confound the luck. I'm too short in the neck to carry weight and stand
excitement. That thing fairly floored me when I heard it this morning."

"What thing?" asked Ashton-Kirk.

Dennison looked at the speaker as though astonished that any one could
be for even a moment in doubt as to his meaning.

"Why," said he, "that murder--last night."

"I guess that's one I haven't heard about," said Bat Scanlon, and
Ashton-Kirk regarded the man with the paunch steadily, but said nothing.

"Not heard of that!" The man pointed an amazed finger at the discarded
heap about the investigator's chair. "Why, every paper in town is just
screaming about it. The police are at a standstill. The papers say they
don't know what to do."

Just then a door opened; a fiery head was thrust into the room and a
squeaky boy-voice called out:

"Mr. Scanlon! On the 'phone!"

When he reached the little office which opened from the lounging room,
the red-haired boy further informed Bat:

"It's a lady, and she sounds like she was in a hurry."

Scanlon went to the telephone and took down the receiver.

"Scanlon speaking," said he, briefly.

There came a gasping, breathless little exclamation of relief in his
ear.

"Oh, Bat, I'm glad you're there. I'm very glad!" The voice was full and
vibrant; it had a rare quality of resonance that even the telephone
could not stifle.

"What, Nora! Is that you?" The big athlete was plainly surprised.

"Yes, it's Nora," replied the voice. "Foolish Nora Cavanaugh, who is
always in some sort of trouble. I had left word that I must not be
worried by this matter, because I have my work to think of, and the
constant ringing at the door-bell and telephoning was wearing me out.
And just now, Bat, it occurred to me that you would be sure to have
heard of this dreadful thing, and have been one of those turned away."

Scanlon's face was one of mystification and concern.

"Nora," said he, "why this rush of folks at your front door, and who
were they?"

"The reporters have never stopped since early morning; and the police
have been here a half dozen times."

"The police!" Bat's voice rose with a sudden sharpness that caused the
red-haired boy to jump. "What do you mean by----?"

But the full, beautiful voice checked him.

"I must see you, Bat, I must