"You've nothing on me," the old man muttered. "I was being blackmailed, that's all."
"It's no use trying to put up a front," the detective told him. "We know everything. This man was a blackmailer right enough, but the real Walter Crocker has a just claim to a large portion of your estate. A more serious matter is that you are wanted for the robbery of the Kirmenbach residence."
"I'm wanted for what?" gasped the old man.
"You are under suspicion for stealing a diamond necklace."
Until this moment Herman Crocker had been calm and quiet, but suddenly he flew into a violent rage, denying any part in the robbery.
"It's nothing but a frame-up!" he shouted.
"Maybe I did keep money that wasn't mine, but I never broke into anyone's house in all my life!"
"Did you or did you not have a toy lantern in your house?" asked Mr. Nichols.
"A toy lantern?" the old man repeated. "Perry had one I guess. He lost it and found it again."
"It happens that Perry's toy lantern was discovered at the scene of the robbery. Perhaps you can explain that."