Had he taken this latter course, he might not have missed-- But that will come later.

What we have to do now is to accompany him to the front of the building, where matters of importance undoubtedly await him.

He had noted, in his previous passage to and fro, that the young man who had been nearest to the tragedy was in his place before the case of coins in Section I.This time he noted something more.

The young man was in the selfsame spot, but during this brief interval of waiting, the passion he evidently cherished for numismatics had reasserted itself, and he now stood with his eyes bent as eagerly upon the display of coins over which he hung, as if no shaft of death had crossed the space without and no young body lay in piteous quiet beyond the separating partition.
It was an exhibition of one of the most curious traits of human nature, and Mr.Gryce would undoubtedly have expended a few cynical thoughts upon it if, upon entering the broad front corridor which he had hitherto avoided, he had not run upon Sweetwater pointing in a meaning way toward two huge cases which, stacked with medieval arms, occupied one of the corners.
"Odd couple over there," he whispered as the older detective paused to listen.

"Been watching them for the last five minutes.