“The trail led back here, Cardona,” said Biscayne, “because I wanted it to come back here — when the deaths were finished. I had my troubles.
“That intruder — Max Parker — was killed by the trap. How and why he came, I do not know, unless Homer Briggs prompted him.
“Homer once saw the old man working at the radiator. I thought that would be useful, later on. I did not realize that Homer might be plotting, too!
“The great misfortune was the fact that Arthur Wilhelm eluded death. So, tonight, I have rectified the error.
“I have sprung my most effective weapon — old Silas Harshaw’s dummy model. That model is a fake, Cardona.
“Harshaw and I put it there to deceive his enemies. The presence of the model made it unnecessary to load the special revolver above it.
“That model has dealt death — to Arthur Wilhelm, whose death was necessary; to George Fredericks, whose death was desirable.
“I am worth millions, Cardona! I offer you the same share I offered Fredericks. Five hundred thousand dollars!”
The mention of the sum stopped Cardona. His thoughts had gone back to Silas Harshaw’s study, where Biscayne had said death lurked.
Cardona, however, was too wise to risk a sudden rush in that direction. He listened once again, feigning eagerness.