The Whitmore case would not take rank among the unsolved murder mysteries of the city.

In fact, to Britz it was no longer a mystery.
The detective entered Headquarters in a happy frame of mind.

He was in control of the situation, had mastered all the complexities of the case.
As he crossed the corridor, passing three or four groups of waiting detectives and policemen, he became aware of an atmosphere of suppressed excitement that seemed to fill the place.

The men were talking in low tones, and instinctively Britz guessed that their conversation related to some new turn in the Whitmore case.
Entering the office of Chief Manning, he found the Chief still at his desk.

A foot away sat another man, evidently pleading a favor.