"You may," Britz accepted the responsibility. "What we've got to ascertain is who committed the murder."
"And when we've done that, he'll bring thirty clerks forward to swear that no one entered Whitmore's room," said the chief, a note of sarcasm in his voice. "How are we going to obtain legal evidence, not deductions against him?"
"By first making sure which of the persons intimately connected with the case did NOT commit the murder, and accusing him or her of the crime."
Manning eyed the lieutenant dubiously.
"In other words, you're going to prepare a lamb for slaughter in the hope that the wolf will come forward and confess?" drawled the chief.
"Yes," acknowledged Britz.
"It's an established characteristic of wolves—saving the innocent lamb from slaughter, isn't it?" mocked Manning.
"This wolf may be a domesticated animal—or perhaps not a wolf at all."
"Suppose you find that Beard is the murderer?" the chief shot at the detective.
"Then we'll release him and lock up someone that isn't."