“Is glad to see us on a new tack.”
A pause, during which the eager light in the young detective’s eye clouded over. Presently he remarked:
“How will the finding of another O. B. alter Mr. Brotherson’s position? He still will be the one person on the spot, known to have cherished a grievance against the victim of this mysterious killing. To my mind, this discovery of a more favoured rival, brings in an element of motive which may rob our self-reliant friend of some of his complacency. We may further, rather than destroy, our case against Brotherson by locating a second O.B.”
Mr. Gryce’s eyes twinkled.
“That won’t make your task any more irksome,” he smiled. “The loop we thus throw out is as likely to catch Brotherson as his rival. It all depends upon the sort of man we find in this second O. B.; and whether, in some way unknown to us, he gave her cause for the sudden and overwhelming rush of despair which alone supports this general theory of suicide.”
“The prospect grows pleasing. Where am I to look for my man?”
“Your ticket is bought to Derby, Pennsylvania. If he is not employed in the great factories there, we do not know where to find him. We have no other clew.”
“I see. It’s a short journey I have before me.”
“It’ll bring the colour to your cheeks.”
“Oh, I’m not kicking.”