be so. Was the note found?" "Not to my knowledge. But you should know, being a detective." "I'm not omniscient," replied Steel good-humoredly; "it is only in novels that you get the perfect person who[Pg 71] never makes a mistake. Well, to resume. I don't see why the clerk should have killed Miss Kent." [Pg 71] "He did not kill her," insisted Morley. "I was in the room with him from the time he entered by the door to the time he left by that middle window. He had no chance of stealing the stiletto. Now Miss Denham had, for she was in the room alone for a few moments." "But why should she have taken the clerk with her on the car? If she killed the girl her object must have been to escape herself?" "I can't explain. Perhaps this clerk saw the crime and hoped to make money out of it. Had he given the alarm he wouldn't have gained any reward. So I suppose he mounted the car with her, so that she should not escape him." "A wild theory." "It's the only one I can think of," responded Morley; "but if you want to know more of this man go up to Asher, Son, and Asher. I daresay they will be able to give you his history." "And the Scarlet Cross?" "I know nothing about that. I did not even notice if the man had such a cross on his chain. In fact," added Morley frankly, "he was too shabby and poverty-stricken to have a chain. I think Anne Denham killed Daisy; you think this man did, and——" "Pardon," protested Steel. "I have not yet made up my mind. But the two fled together, and there must be some reason for that." "If so, it will be found in the past history of both, or either. You know where to look for the man. I can get from my wife the address of the Governesses' Institute where she engaged Miss Denham. That is all I can do, unless I take up the case myself."[Pg 72] [Pg 72] Steel looked up with a laugh. He was copying the address of the solicitors from the summons, but could not help pausing to reply to this egotistical remark. "Why, Mr. Morley, what do you know of such work?" he asked, bantering. "Much more than you would give me credit for. Did you ever
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