nstantly noted that an automobile could stand in the
alleyway close to the entrance; that a person could come down these
stairs unobserved, step into the car and be quietly carried away,
disappearing into the general traffic of the streets in probably not
more than two minutes after leaving the apartment.

Here, thought Morgan, was a possible solution of the sudden
disappearance of the person who had been either murdered or wounded.
It was a problem, of course, as to which door they had been brought
through, and the solution of that problem would very likely bring
him pretty close to the person or persons who had participated in
the events of the night before.

Unquestionably, the rear door of the apartment where the trouble had
taken place had not been used for this purpose, although it would
seem the logical and quickest way to make an exit. On the other
hand, for that very reason, the persons back of the supposed crime
had been clever enough to avoid it, thus adding a mystifying element
to what had taken place.

In the light of present developments, two possible exits suggested
themselves to Morgan. These were the Atwood and Marsh apartments.
The girl, however, claimed that she had slept through the night, and
it hardly seemed possible that anyone could pass through her flat
without arousing her. This, of course, meant taking for granted her
story that she was alone in the apartment and had been in bed and
sleeping. While Morgan felt attracted toward the girl, and placed
considerable confidence in her honesty, he did not allow these
emotions to entirely dull his sense of suspicion. If things did not
clear themselves shortly he would carry his investigations further
along this line.

In the meantime, his distrust centered on the Marsh apartment. This
man admitted being awake during the reported struggle, and there was
no question about his being partly dressed and in action while some
of the events were taking place. Marsh could easily have passed a
person or a body to a confederate through his back door, locked the
door and then hurried into Sheridan Road to direct the attention of
the police, or any other persons who had been aroused, to the front
of the house, thus enabling his confederate to get quietly, safely
and quickly away. This was only bare theory on Morgan's part. He
needed definite facts to either confirm this theory, or to prove
that his judgment was at fault. The cuff button, with its initial
"M,"