“But, why do you wish to do all this, Mary?” said Mr. Dana. “It strikes me as being a simple case of a very brutal murder, and one in which there is no doubt that the authorities have got the right man.”
“I don't believe him guilty, that's all.”
“That's an opinion,—not a reason.”
“I know it, but woman's intuition often comes nearer to the truth than man's judgment.”
She threw her arms about her father's neck, and her eyes looked down into his, “You'll help all you can, won't you, father?” she pleaded.
“Well, I have nothing else to do, and this affair awakens my interest. But from what I know of the case now, I think they have the right man.”
“You're a dear, good father to help,” and she gave him another embrace and a kiss.
The next day there was a preliminary meeting which Quincy attended at Mary's request. It was with difficulty that Mary waited until he made his report.
“The principal witness was Gustave Pinchot, the night watchman. He heard loud voices but as Mr. Ellicott was quite deaf he did not attach much importance to that. Pinchot didn't see anyone come in or go out.”
“Couldn't Bob Wood prove an alibi?”