the money.

"And now what's going to happen?" the detective continued. "Why, public
sympathy will be extended to her in full measure. Permit suspicion to
fall on a woman without arresting her, and the public is ready to
believe every scandal concerning her which the putrid imagination of
every bar-room hanger-on can invent. Once you arrest her, the public in
its eagerness to damn the police will repudiate every bit of unfavorable
evidence we may offer against her. Well, we can stand public
reprobation; she can't."

The chief looked unconvinced.

"That's all right as far as it goes," he said. "But you appear to have
forgotten Ward. Remember, he is a fugitive. He had the same motive as
his sister for killing Whitmore. He also profits by Whitmore's death."

"The only way he profits is through his sister," returned Britz. "And,
to assign a motive to him for killing Whitmore, we must assume that he
knew of the will. Had he known of the inheritance, do you think he would
have skipped? No, he'd have hung on until the will was found and offered
for probate! Moreover, he would have informed his most pressing
creditors of his sister's inheritance and of her willingness to rescue
the banking house. The creditors would never have begun expensive
bankruptcy proceedings."

"But if he didn't know of the inheritance, is it likely that his sister
knew?" interjected the chief.

"She didn't know," said Britz in positive tone. "However, we'll soon
make sure whether she did or not. I shall call up the lawyer who drew
the will."

Britz found the lawyer's telephone number and soon was connected with
his office.

"I wish to speak with Mr. Sands," he said. "This is Police
Headquarters."

The attorney came to the wire.

"This is Lieutenant Britz," said the detective. "I believe you were one
of the attorneys for Mr. Whitmore."

"I did a very small part of his legal work," came the reply.

"You drew his will, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"Where was the will signed?"

"In my office."

"Who, beside you and Mr. Whitmore knew the provisions of the will?"

"No one that I am aware of. Mr. Whitmore was especially anxious that the
utmost secrecy should be observed with regard to it. The witnesses to
the document are clerks in my office, and they were not permitted to
read the will. After it was executed it was sealed in a heavy envelope
and carried away by Mr. Whitmore. I believe he intrusted it to his
confidential secretary."

"Thank