In all the strange cases he had handled in the past, he could not remember one which had presented such a confusing front as this.
It faced both ways.
He was not yet ready to believe either side until stronger proofs were presented.
At any rate another day would surely develop new features bearing on the case, and from these he would be able to get conclusions.
He retired at a quarter to three.
It was his intention to rise at eight, and when he jumped out of bed the clock lacked but a few minutes of the hour.
Before nine he had breakfasted in a neighboring cafe.
The other inmates of the bachelor apartment house had no idea of the occupation the detective followed.
He was a quiet fellow and did not seek acquaintances—besides, in New York, people get acquainted only through regular channels—two families might live next door for several years and their ways and hours are so different that the members hardly know their neighbors by sight.
It was now getting on toward the time when he ought to be up town.