“We know that Harriman purchased the sapphire at a fraction of its value. Therefore it is possible that he was pursued, not by a fanciful danger, but by living men who sought to get the jewel—”
“Wait!” exclaimed Burke. He pulled a clipping from the pile that he had previously consulted, and showed it to Clarendon:
Harriman was in a mix-up, not long after he bought the sapphire. He was held up on a road in Florida.
Some bandits searched him, and took fifty dollars and his watch. He didn’t have much money with him that night.
“Keep those clippings, Burke,” Clarendon said, returning the slip. “We may find a connection there. But in the meantime, let us consider this case of Chatham’s — and the murder of Seth Wilkinson. Your point is well chosen; that the motive was not sufficient for Chatham to kill Wilkinson. We also have the question of the note.
“Why did Chatham leave it there?”
“I don’t know,” confessed Burke.
“Have you seen the note?”
“I haven’t been out of the office. The police have the note, all right. They’re holding it as evidence—”
“You know them at headquarters — through your former connection with the Clarion?”