f justly of
blundering. Nevertheless the brief telephone conversation with the
doorman had informed him that the inspector attached an uncommon
importance to the chance capture of the Chinaman. Because of it he would
place the blame for the suicide where it fell most conveniently.

When he opened the door he appreciated that there was more than that out
of the way at headquarters this morning. A woman bent, ancient, poor,
sat in a chair to the right of the inspector's desk. He could hazard no
more concerning her, because of an intricately-patterned shawl which was
draped over her head and nearly covered her face. Her presence was less
astonishing than her bearing in this room, terrible alike to wrong-doers
and to the reluctant witnesses of crime. Her attitude, indeed, was
expectant. Her lack of distrust impressed him as aggressive. Moreover,
its customary rumble had left the inspector's voice which had flowed,
Garth had remarked, with a conciliatory blandness.

It paused shortly as Garth entered. The huge man turned slowly in his
chair. His eyes, somnolent as a rule, fixed Garth with a lively
reproach.

"Shut the door," he grumbled.

Garth obeyed.

"Here's a pretty mess! Why did you bring him in at all?"

"The chink?" Garth asked mildly.

"No," the inspector roared. "Queen Lilliokulani! Who do you suppose I
mean? How many mugs have you brought in since I saw you last? Maybe you
thought the big Chinese population was unhealthy."

"I never dreamed he'd do that," Garth protected himself.

"Why didn't you warn the boys to keep an eye on him?" the inspector
demanded.

Garth threw up his hands.

"How could I tell? I only brought him in on a chance. I knew you were
after the funny medicine crowd. He was up to some queer business last
night, and I thought he looked the type."

"Yes," the inspector agreed drily, "he certainly looked the type, so
much so that I'd gamble that wizzened brain of his held all I want to
know."

He seized a paper weight and commenced to toss it ponderously from fist
to fist.

"That's what you've let get away from you. Maybe you'll be accommodating
enough to tell me how you happened to pick him up."

Garth glanced questioningly at the woman.

"Don't fret," the inspector said scornfully. "She won't give you away
even if you have made an ass of yourself."

Garth reddened. Impulsively he turned on his heel. Later he would be
ashamed, since he understood the inspector thoroughly. But