Had Herbert Whitmore, in a spirit of diabolical fun, resolved to present the New York police with a baffling murder mystery, he could not have carried out the design more effectively than in the manner of his taking off.

Not a clue to the perpetrator of the crime or the manner of its accomplishment, was found in the merchant's home.

There were not wanting signs of hasty destruction, but the obliteration of all possible leads had been complete.
Two hours were consumed in the search of the house, and all the while Beard looked on silently, offering neither help nor hindrance.

Britz, pursuing the search with the help of Greig, put an occasional question to the secretary, but the almost invariable reply was a non-committal shrug of the shoulders.
"Since you won't tell us anything about Mr.Whitmore, kindly inform me where _you_ spent the morning ?" demanded Britz.
"Up to ten o'clock I was in this house," the secretary replied.

"Then I visited the office of the Garfield Safe Deposit Company.