e vacant flat and murdered him there. It
was easy to suppose that the criminal knew the flat to be empty and had
obtained a key.

It might have been by this secret enemy's connivance that the trunks
were removed and sent to Gaspard.

But if Hammond was the wretch who had done all this, why had he
confessed?

All these and many other thoughts must have rushed through the mind of
the superintendent, in the pause which followed Hammond's declaration.

Byrnes looked at Nick for an explanation.

"This is an extraordinary statement, Mr. Hammond," said Nick. "Have you
any evidence to support it?"

"I have ample evidence. I was seen in the company of the woman now
dead, not fifty yards from the restaurant on the night when she met her
death. I can call one of the most prominent and respected men in this
city to prove that. The Rev. Elliot Sandford is the man."

This name produced a great impression.

"Why has he kept silence?" asked Nick.

"He promised me that he would do so as long as his conscience would
permit. I called upon him on the morning after the crime.

"He believed me when I asserted my innocence. He agreed to be silent for
the sake of my family."

"But who is the dead woman?" asked Nick.

"I have not the least idea."

"You did not know her!"

"No. Let me tell the full story. It was a chance acquaintance. I met her
on the street that afternoon.

"I was walking behind her on Twenty-third street. You know what
wonderful hair she had. I was admiring it.

"Suddenly I saw her drop a little purse. I picked it up and handed it to
her, and somehow we fell into conversation.

"Her manner mystified me. Sometimes she seemed to be laboring under some
secret grief which nearly drove her to tears. In another moment she
would be apparently as merry as a schoolgirl.

"She showed no reserve whatever, but something in her manner warned me
that she was a lady, and I did not presume upon her confidence.

"We walked together a long while, and at last we found ourselves near
that restaurant. How we came there I do not know. I paid no attention to
where we were going. T was too much fascinated by my companion.

"Suddenly she said: 'It is late and I am hungry. Let us go to dinner.'

"I thought it a strange thing to say, but I was glad enough to comply.
We went into that restaurant because it was right before us.

"I signed the first name that came into my head, and then Corbut showed
us into the private dining-r