“Yes, Delaney. That is no criterion that a woman did the calling-up. The girl there in charge of the pay-booths states that more men than women use the ’phones in that part of the station.”
“Just our luck!”
“The toll collected on this call must have been thirty-five cents, including the war-tax. The superintendent says that the voice over the wire was thin and tired. He says he thought it was Dr. Conroy. He never gave the matter second consideration. Conroy, however, has a voice like a bull. We checked that up.”
“Does the superintendent know Conroy?”
“No! Except by name!”
“Then, Chief, I don’t see any use trying that lead. It begins and ends in air.”
“It most certainly does! We’ll cross it out. The next call for our investigation––”
“Which was?” asked Delaney, waking up.
“Which was the one notifying Stockbridge that he had about reached his span of life on this earth. I was there in that library when the call came in. Again, from the millionaire’s description, this time, we have the thin, whispering voice on the wire. The man was probably the same. He mentioned the cemetery letter which would establish that fact.”
“I’m following you, Chief. Go on!”