hope. In the back of his
mind was the thought that, after all, his sister might not be guilty. If
the weapon used was not one that had been ready to her hand, there was a
chance that she was innocent.

"However, the finding of the candlestick must have dissipated this hope,
and when they charged him with the crime, he merely denied it; he, I
think, feared to do or say anything which might direct the attention of
the police definitely away from himself; for, in doing this, they might
chance to think of his sister."

"But," said Nora, "you have no proof that all of this is true."

"Not proof," said Ashton-Kirk, smiling. "But there are certain almost
unmistakable indications. One of these I brought about by my confidence
to the police regarding the possibility of a woman being connected with
the case. I felt that if he believed his sister guilty that this would
stir him to some further action. It did, as you know. He instantly
canceled his denials, and admitted the crime."

"Tell me," said Scanlon, "haven't you ever thought that maybe some one
else had done this thing? Has your mind always been fixed on these two?
For example, didn't you, also, once think Miss Cavanaugh had a part in
it?"

"Not for a moment," smiled Ashton-Kirk.

"Not even when I told you how I'd seen her at Bohlmier's?"

"Not even then. Of course I didn't know the explanation of that, and at
once set about finding one. Fuller was put to work looking up Bohlmier,
and in one day had his record complete. The man is a skilful
blackmailer; he has practiced in many cities and has served more than
one term in jail. I knew at once what had occurred; the two men fancied
they 'had something on' Miss Cavanaugh regarding this murder, and had
endeavored to extort money from her. I leave it to you," with a smiling
nod toward Nora, "to tell how near I am to the facts."

The girl made a low-voiced, unintelligible reply, and then they ran on
for some distance in silence. Suddenly Ashton-Kirk signaled the driver
and the car came to a stand; the investigator pointed to some buildings
at no great distance; a locomotive with a few cars trailing behind it
was panting laboriously away from these, its headlight glaring morosely
into the darkness.

"I think," said the investigator, "that is Stanwick Station."

"It is," agreed Scanlon.

"Then, more than likely, that is the train which carried Fenton and
Fuller. I suppose it would be as well if we got out here and walk