“It doesn’t explain one important factor,” declared Biscayne. “Why didn’t the murderer send the third note the same night, instead of waiting twenty-four hours?”
“I’VE doped that out,” said Cardona. “From what the post office says, all three notes were mailed from the Redan Hotel.
“Now, the murderer couldn’t have mailed that third note, very well, before he bumped off T.S., because he couldn’t be sure the man was coming up to Harshaw’s that very night.
“After the bump-off, he had to run from the hotel, and it was too late to send the letter. So he waited until last night — then sent it—”
Biscayne shook his head solemnly and peered, owl-like, through his spectacles. He slapped his hand upon the glass-topped desk.
“Cardona,” he said, in a convinced tone, “you are getting too much unsupported theory into this case. Do not think that I am criticizing, because I am not.
“You are working with facts and you are trying to make them lead you to the solution. You will get there, because there is bound to be a break sooner or later.
“But if you listen to me now, I think we shall arrive at some more definite conclusion much sooner.
“I still believe that it is a matter of cross-purposes. We shall commence with Silas Harshaw.
“For some reason, his death was desired by a person so sure of his invulnerability that he not only contrived death for the old man, but also sent an announcement of Silas Harshaw’s demise.