ith their change, Morris will change. He had
no idea of what was to come, or he would not have done what he has
done."

"No criminal would," said Pendleton.

Ashton-Kirk shrugged his shoulders at this, but made no direct reply.

"And now if these newspapers, with all their pointed references to
Edyth Vale, do not make the man come forward," he went on, "what is
about to happen--say within the next forty-eight hours--will be sure
to do so."

Pendleton turned a surprised look upon him.

"You think, then, that something unusual is about to happen?"

"I _know_ there is," was the quiet reply. "To-night, old chap, has
been most prolific in results. It has indicated why the murder was
done; it has suggested the identity of the actual murderer; it has
even pointed out the spot upon which we shall finally take him."

"You really mean all that?" cried Pendleton, incredulously.

"I do."

"Then you must have learned it at some time while I was not--" here
Pendleton paused, and then proceeded in another tone. "But you have
_not_ been out of my sight since dinner. Everything you have heard, I
have heard; all that you have seen, I have seen."

"Just so," said Ashton-Kirk.

There was a pause; they walked along toward the place where they were
to get a street car. At length Pendleton spoke once more.

"And from the rather bald reports of your two assistants, and the talk
of this man, Tobin, you have gathered these most vital facts?"

"We can hardly call them facts as yet," said the other; "but I have
every confidence that we can do so within the time specified."

A gong sounded sharply and a car crossed the street. Pendleton placed
his hand upon his friend's shoulder.

"Kirk," said he, "I am not going to ask another question. I'm just
going to wait, and if it turns out as you say, I'll never question a
statement of yours as long as I live. I'll swallow them all as the
Mussulman swallows the Koran."

They boarded the car and Ashton-Kirk settled himself in a corner. His
arms were folded across his chest, his head gradually sank forward. To
all appearances he was asleep; but Pendleton knew that he was merely
turning over some plan of action that would, in a little time, begin
to reveal itself.

However, he was not prepared for such quick action as resulted; for
suddenly Ashton-Kirk jumped up, glanced out at the car window, then
darted to the platform and leaped off. Pendleton followed at once, and
came up with him par