But the days are
going by and little of real importance has been discovered. However,
I haven't told you as yet, the story of the gold bag. I have found its
owner."

Of course there were exclamations of surprise at this, but realizing its
importance they quietly listened to my story.

With scarcely a word of interruption from my hearers, I told them how I
had found the card in the bag, how I had learned about Mrs. Purvis from
headquarters, how I had gone to see her, and how it had all resulted in
Mrs. Cunningham's visit to Miss Lloyd that morning.

"Well!" exclaimed Mr. Porter, as I concluded the narrative. "Well!
Of all things! Well, I am amazed! Why, this gives a wide scope of
possibilities. Scores of our people come out on that theatre train every
night."

"But not scores of people would have a motive for putting Joseph
Crawford out of the way," said Mr. Goodrich, who sat perplexedly
frowning.

Then, by way of a trump card, I told them of the "extra" edition of the
evening paper I had found in the office.

The district attorney stared at me, but still sat frowning and silent.

But Mr. Porter expressed his wonderment.

"How it all fits in!" he cried. "The bag, known to be from that late
train; the paper, known to have been bought late in New York! Burroughs,
you're a wonder! Indeed, we don't want any Fleming Stone, when you can
do such clever sleuthing as this."

I stared at him. Nothing I had done seemed to me "clever sleuthing," nor
did my simple discoveries seem to me of any great significance.

"I don't like it," said Mr. Goodrich, at last. "Everything so far known,
both early and late information, seems to me to point to Gregory Hall
and Florence Lloyd in collusion."

"But you said," I interrupted, "that Miss Lloyd's confession that she
did go down-stairs late at night was in her favor."

"I said that before I knew about this bag story. Now I think the case is
altered, and the two who had real motive are undoubtedly the suspects."

"But they had no motive," said Mr. Porter, "since Florence doesn't
inherit the fortune."

"But they thought she did," explained the district attorney, "and so the
motive was just as strong. Mr. Burroughs, I wish you would confer with
Mr. Parmalee, and both of you set to work on the suggestions I
have advanced. It is a painful outlook, to be sure, but justice is
inexorable. You agree with me, Mr. Porter?"

Mr. Porter started, as if he, too, had been in a brown study.