"Possible, yes," agreed the detective. "That was the only way. One door to the room.
Windows with locked shutters. Out through the hall— but if a man made his get-away there, he must have been a wonder. Nevertheless, Castelle has given me the tip. I figure he must be right."
"About the people in the room," began Weston.
"Commissioner," said Cardona, "there is not one suspect in the lot. Peas in a pod, all except Castelle. He's a skeptic as you say, but you can't hook up any motive for him."
"He speaks of an extra man. That might be a blind—"
"Not at all," said Cardona emphatically. "Castelle is talking straight. If he wasn't trying to help, he would have taken the easy route sided with the rest of them. He's right — absolutely.
"There was another man in that room, and he made his get-away. When we find him, we'll have the murderer!"
Weston picked up the newspaper. He made a study of the names in the list. He started a series of pointed questions regarding the various individuals. Cardona answered each query in methodical fashion. Weston dropped the newspaper and extended his hand.
It was a triumph for Joe Cardona — a glorious finish to this conference which he had approached so uneasily. Weston's conviction was evident.
"There was another man," declared the commissioner, with a note of final emphasis. "A man who wanted to kill Herbert Harvey. But why did he choose such a strange method?"