“Horace Chatham was heard to call up Seth Wilkinson. By whom? A man at a cigar counter. He was seen at the Argo Club — but had no sustained conversation with any one. Before that, he was observed at a theater. He was also seen in a ticket agency.
“Is there any witness yet who might not have been easily deceived?”
“No.”
“He also left the Marimba Apartments, after visiting Doctor Albert Palermo. That was just before he went to the theatrical ticket agency. I believe the hallman remembered his departure.
“Am I correct?”
“You are.”
“The hallman, like the others, is a poor witness. But now”— Clarendon was no longer smiling, and his voice was low—”now we have reached a solid link in the chain. Chatham spent some time with Doctor Palermo. We may consider the physician to be a reliable witness.”
Burke nodded his assent.
“Therefore,” concluded Clarendon, “the last man who really and authentically saw Horace Chatham was Doctor Albert Palermo. He is the one who should be questioned as to the identity of Horace Chatham.”
It was amazing to Burke. Yet the newspaperman was used to facts in preference to fancies.