An odd, crackling sound reached his ears—ah! it proceeded from a small room used as a dressing-room, the door of which was closed.
Eric crept over to it and listened—all was as still as death within.
Baffled in this endeavor, he leaned against the door, pressing his ear close to the panel, to catch any voices—if conspirators were gathered there they must talk—this silence could not be long maintained.
The door must have been on the latch—at any rate it was not fastened, and as Eric leaned against it this impediment to his vision slowly gave way, opening a foot or so, and Joe Leslie’s terrible secret was revealed to the detective’s eyes.
CHAPTER X
THAT MEERSCHAUM PIPE
In his time Eric Darrell had seen many strange sights, and experienced odd sensations; but the spectacle that now presented itself to his wondering eyes created a feeling within him such as had never yet come upon him.
He gaped in amazement, scarcely able to believe his senses.
To such a high pitch had his expectations been drawn that he looked for something of a startling nature.
The shock was tremendous, and yet it rather proceeded from a sudden revulsion of feeling, than because the scene exceeded his expectations.
There was but one occupant in the small apartment, upon the threshold of which he stood when the door gave way so unceremoniously.