med, sir. He was a detective; a detective in disguise; a man with
whom I never presume to meddle--in other words, our famous Mr. Gryce."

"Gryce!--that man!" exclaimed Mr. Ferris, astounded.

"Yes, sir. He was in disguise, probably for some purpose of his own, but
I knew his eye. Gryce's eye isn't to be mistaken by any one who has much
to do with him."

"And that famous detective was actually on the spot at the time this
murder was discovered, and you let him go without warning me of his
presence?"

"Sir," returned Mr. Byrd, "neither you nor I nor any one at that time
could foresee what a serious and complicated case this was going to be.
Besides, he did not linger in this vicinity, but took the cars only a
few minutes after he parted from us. I did not think he wanted to be
dragged into this affair unless it was necessary. He had important
matters of his own to look after. However, if suspicion had continued to
follow him, I should have notified him of the fact, and let him speak
for himself. But it vanished so quickly in the light of other
developments, I just let the matter drop."

The impatient frown with which Mr. Ferris received this acknowledgment
showed he was not pleased.

"I think you made a mistake," said he. Then, after a minute's thought,
added: "You have seen Gryce since?"

"Yes, sir; several times."

"And he acknowledged himself to have been the humpback?"

"Yes, sir."

"You must have had some conversation with him, then, about this murder?
He was too nearly concerned in it not to take some interest in the
affair?"

"Yes, sir; Gryce takes an interest in all murder cases."

"Well, then, what did he have to say about this one? He gave an opinion,
I suppose?"

"No, sir. Gryce never gives an opinion without study, and we detectives
have no time to study up an affair not our own. If you want to know what
Gryce thinks about a crime, you have got to put the case into his
hands."

Mr. Ferris paused and seemed to ruminate. Seeing this, Mr. Byrd flushed
and cast a side glance at Hickory, who returned him an expressive shrug.

"Mr. Ferris," ventured the former, "if you wish to consult with Mr.
Gryce on this matter, do not hesitate because of us. Both Hickory and
myself acknowledge we are more or less baffled by this case, and Gryce's
judgment is a good thing to have in a perplexity."

"You think so?" queried the District Attorney.

"I do," said Byrd.

Mr. Ferris glanced at Hickory.

"Oh, ha