"A French girl, Louise Regnier, employed as a maid by Mrs. Standing in the house, was found dead in her room on the third floor to-day at noon," Hatch explained quickly. "It looks like suicide."
"How?" asked The Thinking Machine.
"The people who employed her--husband and wife--have been away for a couple of days," Hatch rushed on. "She was in the suite alone. This noon she had not appeared, there was an odor of gas and the door was broken in. Then she was found dead."
"With the gas turned on?"
"With the gas turned on. She was asphyxiated."
"Dear me, dear me," exclaimed the scientist. He arose and took up his hat. "Let's go see what this is all about."
II.
When Professor Van Dusen and Hatch arrived at the apartment house they had been preceded by the Medical Examiner and the police. Detective Mallory, whom both knew, was moving about in the apartment where the girl had been found dead. The body had been removed and a telegram sent to her employers in New York.
"Too late," said Mallory, as they entered.
"What was it, Mr. Mallory?" asked the scientist.