such a mistake could happen. I
suppose he got past while I was at the window."

"Marvin," the inspector mused, "was just the man for them. Probably full
of wild-eyed ideas, and feeling a divine call to help smash Alsop. I
hold no brief for that millionaire. I understand he had to work, like
most everybody else, for what he's got, and maybe that's the reason he
can't understand these new social notions. And far be it from me to say
anything about Marvin's grand thoughts, although it may be his share in
this affair was made worth his while. My part in life is to see that the
law's kept, and I guess without the law there wouldn't be anything much
worth while for anybody to fight over. These rough boys had certainly
fixed Marvin to help them break the law into little bits of pieces. So
maybe he deserves just what he got. Alsop tells me he didn't trust any
of his employes with his schemes for putting a stop to socialistic
movements in his concerns, and that's where the big hitch came. Marvin,
whenever he knew there were private papers in the house, was always
searching. He had a key to Alsop's door. He used that old ghost story,
and dressed himself up in case any of the servants should see him. Their
fright would give him time to cover himself. When Alsop did catch him he
came across with the terrible experiences he had had himself with the
veiled woman. Ought to have got on to him before."

"It wasn't easy to suspect him," Nora said, "particularly after we had
seen the housekeeper's curiosity, and had found him, apparently
unconscious, in his room. He was really too frightened at the flat, and
we might have suspected when Jim heard those directions at the shop.
Such luck as that doesn't often happen. It's easily explained now. The
time it took you, Jim, to go to the hospital and to visit the shop was
just the time he needed to return to Wall Street with Mr. Alsop, make
some excuse, and get into the shop by a back way to receive his new
orders. It was simple enough."

The inspector grunted.

"If we saw all the simple things there'd be no need for detectives."

He commenced to cough with a persistent vehemence.

"Take me home, Nora," he groaned. "Back to the fireplace and the flannel
for the old man. You're always right, Nora. Isn't she always right,
Garth?"

But Garth, recalling that moment before Nora and he had entered the
Alsop house, shook his head. Nora must have seen and understood, for she
laughed lightly.