isit to Headquarters.

One thing, however, Britz determined on. He would not permit his
watchful nature to be beguiled into slumberous acceptance of conditions
as presented through the mouth of this woman.

"It's now quarter past ten," he reminded her. "Permit me to suggest that
you go home alone, and that we join you in fifteen or twenty minutes."

"Very well," she replied, rising and drawing up her gloves. "I shall
expect you."

As she walked toward the door, Britz lifted himself out of his seat,
and, brushing past Greig, whispered:

"Have Muldoon trail her!"

Greig nodded understandingly, escorted her into the corridor and
repeated Britz's directions to the waiting officer. Returning to the
room, he found Britz leaning back in his chair, absorbed in thought, the
lines of his forehead gathered between the eyebrows.

"Well, it looks as if we're going to get the murderer without much
effort on our part," said Greig jubilantly.

"Greig, don't jump too hastily at every bait that is held out," replied
Britz, emphasizing each word. "All the evidence seems to contradict the
theory that Collins is the murderer. He may have betrayed this woman.
She may be yearning for revenge. But it does not follow that he killed
Whitmore."

"Why, what evidence is there to the contrary?" weakly asked Greig.

"Why, the very murder itself," said Britz, as if stating an
incontrovertible conclusion.

"I don't understand," the other admitted helplessly.

"We have two witnesses who stated that Collins openly threatened to kill
Whitmore," pursued Britz. "For four weeks, it is asserted, he went about
seeking revenge on the man who, he believed, had wrecked his home. It
makes no difference whether Whitmore was a home-wrecker or a man of the
utmost probity. It was sufficient that Collins thought Whitmore was
trying to destroy his home--that he wanted to marry Mrs. Collins. A
murderous fury burned in Collins's mind and he was intent on killing the
merchant. He didn't plan to kill and get away undetected. Not much! His
was to have been a heroic killing, followed by a glorious acquittal in a
courtroom crowded with sympathizers who recognized in him a noble
defender of the American home. No secret murder satisfies the vengeance
of such a man. Had he committed the murder he would have surrendered
immediately and tried to justify the act before an applauding public."

"No, it does not look like the crime of a wronged husband," agreed
Greig.