At eight you--" "Is that sufficient ?" interrupted Mr.Wynne.

"Does that constitute an alibi ?" "Yes," he admitted; "but how do you know all this, Birnes ?" "Mr.Birnes and the men of his agency have favored me with the most persistent attentions during the last few days," Mr.Wynne continued promptly.

"He has had two men constantly on watch at my office, day and night, and two others constantly on watch at my home, day and night.

There are two there now--one in a rear room of the basement, and another in the pantry, with the doors locked on the outside.
Their names are Claflin and Sutton!" So, that was it! It came home to Mr.Birnes suddenly.

Claflin and Sutton had been tricked into the house on some pretext, and locked in! Confound their stupidity! "Why are they locked up ?" demanded the chief, with kindling interest.
"Why have you been watched ?" "I think, perhaps, Mr.Birnes will agree with me when I say that that has nothing whatever to do with this crime," replied Mr.Wynne easily.
"That's for me to decide," declared the chief bluntly.
There was a long pause.