He had shown Cardona’s tendency to become weak when theory was involved. Cardona’s remark was made in self-defense. Biscayne had a reply for it.
“I am not going back to your argument,” the professor stated. “On the contrary, I am advancing an argument of my own.
“You will find that when these problems are solved — as I feel positive they will be — that Harshaw’s death was not caused by the man who attempted burglary. We are dealing with cross-purposes.”
“You mean some one else—”
“Precisely. I think that Harshaw was killed from within his apartment. Right now, I cannot suggest how it was accomplished.
“The other man — the burglar — may have been working at the window at the time. He may have arrived later and observed Harshaw’s body. At any rate, he decided to keep away from there until later.”
Cardona glanced at Weston and observed that the commissioner was favoring Biscayne’s theory. Cardona realized that his own stand had been badly weakened. He forced a smile, and decided to make the best of it.
“Well,” he said, “we’ll take a chance on the burglar.”
“Of course,” agreed Biscayne. “Your discovery of the marks on the window ledge have proven of great value.”
Cardona accepted the compliment a trifle sullenly. Biscayne might also have mentioned the silver marks on Harshaw’s finger nails, he thought.