nce he had created, hurried him
away."

Morgan smiled. This was a very ingenious and plausible solution of
the mystery--at least in the real estate agent's eyes. However,
Morgan now sought facts, not amateur theories, and disregarding the
real estate man's talk, he pushed his quest for information.

"I have a report in my pocket which covers all that I want to know
about most of your tenants; at least for the present. There are two
families, however, about whom I want further information. The first
is the Atwood family, in the third floor south."

"Atwood--Atwood," repeated Cole, as if he did not place the name.
Then he called, "Joe, bring me the rent book."

Morgan became alert. It was possible that a man like Cole, with a
large list of properties under his management, might be somewhat
vague in his recollection of the names of a few of his tenants. This
case was different. The Atwoods, according to the girl's story, had
sub-leased their apartment quite recently, presumably with the
agent's sanction. The present excitement should naturally have
recalled this matter to Cole's mind--should even have concentrated
his thoughts upon the names and characteristics of every tenant in
this particular building. Cole's unfamiliarity with the name of
Atwood, therefore, seemed peculiar.

At this moment a boy entered with a large volume. Laying it on
Cole's desk, the boy passed quietly out of the office. Cole glanced
at the index and then turned over certain pages in the book.

"We have no Atwood in that house," he declared, finally, looking up
at Morgan. "You must have made a mistake."

Before replying, Morgan pulled out a small notebook and spread it
open on his knee, ready for use. He also extracted a pencil from his
vest pocket. Glancing at the point to see that it was in working
condition, he turned to Cole with the question, "Who does occupy the
third floor south in that house?"

"A family named Crocker."

"Full name, please."

"Joseph Crocker. He rented that apartment one year ago the first of
this month," stated Cole, after further reference to the book.

Morgan jotted this down in his notebook.

"You haven't heard that Mr. Crocker sub-leased his flat?" inquired
Morgan.

"No," replied Cole, positively. "I would be sure to know about it,
too. A transaction of that kind must be put through and reported in
this office."

"Can you give me any further particulars about Mr. Crocker?"

"Well, of course, I could