“I had been expecting instructions,” declared Mann quietly, “but until today, all was silence. I read of the Andrews suicide in the newspapers, and I actually passed by it. Then came the word. That is why I called you at the Classic office. You are to get information on Andrews immediately.”
“At his apartment?”
“No. That is either unimportant, or has been taken care of. Your investigation must be made at the morgue. You are to view the body of George Andrews.”
“That’s easy enough,” said Burke. “I can go down there right away.”
“Good!” said Rutledge Mann. He stared at the wall and spoke as though repeating words which he had read. “Look for anything unusual when you see the body. If you find it, report in full. If you see nothing, report to that effect. Learn all you can.”
Mann became silent. Burke knew that the discussion had ended. He arose and left the office.
Mann remained at the desk, studying the newspaper clipping. He put it away in a desk drawer, called the stenographer, and dictated some letters to his investment clients.
AN hour later, Mann was once more alone in his inner office, when the stenographer appeared to say that Mr. Burke had returned. The reporter was soon cloistered with Mann.
There was a tone of repressed excitement in Burke’s voice as he related the details of his investigation in the Andrews case.
“I went to the morgue,” he said. “I ran into Steve Brill, covering the story for the Classic. Brill took me in to see the body.