“And Gage’s dying statement.”
“Pinto lied, or else Gage was mistaken.”
“Think so?” The lieutenant’s upper lip brushed the tip of his nose. “It’s a queer thing that nothing but the Maltese cross was taken.”
“That was only a detail of the frame-up. Listen, Culligore. Isn’t it your idea that the two murders were committed by one and the same person?”
“It looks that way, but——”
“Well, then, I happen to know who killed Mrs. Trippe, because I was there when it happened.”
Culligore stared; and the Phantom knew he had gained another point.
“There when it happened? You saw the murder committed?” The lieutenant seemed at once amazed and incredulous. “Just where were you? In the storeroom?”
“No; the murder was committed in Gage’s bedroom, and the body was afterward removed to the storeroom by the murderer.”
For a moment Culligore’s astonishment was so great that he almost forgot to maintain his aim. He gathered himself quickly, but his face bore a look of bewilderment.