Opportunity for killing-find some person whose business, profession or what not was a matter of interest
to each of the eight, and whom they visited or who visited them; said business being concerned, possibly,
in some way with babies or older children. Now for motive. Revenge, gain, love, hate, jealousy,
self-protection? None of these seems to fit, for again we come to that barrier of dissimilar stations in life."
"How about the satisfaction of an appetite for death-wouldn't you call that a motive?" asked Braile,
oddly. Ricori half rose from his chair, stared at him with a curious intentness; then sank back, but I
noticed he was now all alert.
"I was about to discuss the possibility of a homicidal maniac," I said, somewhat testily.
"That's not exactly what I mean. You remember Longfellow's lines:
'I shot an arrow into the air.