“I heard the shots that killed Caulkins,” explained Ward. “But it was what happened before then that is most important. He was in a hurry when he called me. Before they bumped him off, he told me that Judge Tolland was there with him.”
“Judge Tolland!” Fennimann raised his eyebrows incredulously. “That’s impossible, Ward! If Tolland was anywhere around New York, we’d have located him before this. Say! You aren’t going to run any stuff like that, are you?”
“That wasn’t all that Caulkins said. He told me that Tolland knew all about Double Z. He was just going to let me know who Double Z was when—”
Ward stopped as the door opened. In stepped the familiar form of Joe Cardona, the dark-visaged detective whose reputation as a crime investigator was known throughout New York.
“I’m glad you’re here, Joe!” exclaimed Fennimann. “This Caulkins killing has got me worried — with Inspector Klein away and you off on an other job. This is Mr. Ward, city editor of the Classic. What about this Caulkins case, Joe — have you seen Wentworth?”
“Yes,” replied Cardona tersely, while he was solemnly shaking hands with Ward.
“I stopped at East Eightieth Street on my way home from the Bronx. I’ve seen the place — the body — and Wentworth’s report. Happened to call here while you were out, and they told me about the murder.”
Fennimann turned to Ward.
“Tell Joe what you told me,” he said.
Cardona was expressionless while he heard the city editor’s statement. Then he became thoughtful. He scratched his chin and turned toward the newspaperman.