He left here nearly half an hour ago," said the clerk, outwardly self-possessed, but wondering inwardly what new bomb would be exploded in his weary brain.
"This murder, and its attendant circumstances, constitute a very extraordinary affair," said the lawyer.
"Yes, sir." Krantz was not deceived.

He had answered some such remark a hundred times that evening, but he would surely be put on the rack in a moment by some fantastic disclosure which none save a lunatic would dream of.
"Now, about this Mr.John Delancy Curtis," purred Schmidt, "has it been ascertained beyond all doubt that he arrived in New York from Europe this evening ?" "I think so, sir," was the jaded answer.

"The police are satisfied on that point, I believe, and he himself gave his last address as Pekin." "Pekin!" "Yes, sir." Everybody was invariably astonished when they heard of Pekin.

Had Curtis described his recent residence as "the Moon" it would have been regarded as only a degree more recondite.
"Then," said Schmidt, closing his eyes, "assuming he is the stranger he represents himself as being, he could have no personal connection with the murder of Monsieur Jean de Courtois ?" There! Another comet had fallen in 27th Street.

Krantz winced, as if the lawyer had struck him.
"Mr.de Courtois!" he gasped.