ndered and blundered on this case," admitted the
detective frankly. "Now I'm going to request you to wait a few minutes
before I call the coroner. Delaney has some questions. I feel sure he
wants to ask me one or two."

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

"THE END"

Triggy Drew's eyes shone with triumphant fire as he turned and faced
the group gathered in the sitting room.

He adjusted his coat lapels, clicked his heels and smiled politely. His
hand strayed up to his short-cropped mustache which was still neat and
well-trimmed despite the labors of the day.

"Although the case is practically closed," he said with concern, "there
are features which are not entirely cleared up--even in my mind.
Perhaps we have a little time," he added, glancing at his watch. "Let's
go into the other room--away from these memories--and have a cup of
tea, if Miss Stockbridge will be so kind as to order some."

Loris glanced at Nichols. She nodded as she turned toward Drew. He
moved over to the rug which covered Cuthbert Morphy's body. He stooped
and adjusted this. He rose and dimmed the lights by snapping off two of
the switches and turning a bulb in its socket. He hesitated as he
glanced at the telephone wires which Delaney had cut.

"Central will wonder what has happened," he said half aloud. "The
connections leading to this house have given them a lot of trouble in
the last few hours. I suppose they haven't another trouble-man like
this one, though?" Drew pointed toward the shadowed rug which gleamed
with silk and rare woven designs.

Loris raised her hand and grasped the portieres. She shuddered
slightly. She allowed her eyes to wander over the room as if for a last
fleeting glance. They locked with the detective's own. She smiled with
a plaintive droop to her mouth.

"I'll order the tea," she said invitingly. "Will you come in?"

Drew bowed and followed her through the portieres. Delaney already
stood by the door which led to the maid's room. Harry Nichols had
picked up a small book and was impatiently examining its pages. The
soldier turned and eyed the detective.

"We'll sit down?" he asked, laying the book on a cushion. "I'm a bit
curious to know how you worked out a number of things. I think that
Miss Stockbridge is, too."

"I'd like to be a detective!" exclaimed Loris, gliding across the room
and tapping with her knuckles on the door. "Wouldn't you, Mr. Delaney?"
she added naively.

Delaney chuckled. "I would, Miss," he said