“Wait,” urged Mitchell. “Brainard’s throat was cut with a razor which no one in the Porter household can identify—or will identify,” he supplemented. “The razor belonged to a set. This morning I found five razors, the mates to the one on Brainard’s bed, hidden in the muzzle of an old cannon on this place, and I am convinced Beverly Thorne knew they were in the cannon.”
“Did you see him place them there?”
“No, of course not,” reddening angrily. “I am waiting here to question Thorne. He hasn’t been here since early this morning, according to that old idiot, Cato. And it was this morning that I found Thorne and Wyndham sitting together near the cannon.” Mitchell came to a full stop as a new idea dawned upon him. “By gracious! I wonder if Wyndham knew Thorne had secreted the razors in the cannon?”
“Ask him,” suggested Anthony and rose impatiently. “I’ve got to be going. Don’t do too much guesswork, Mitchell; remember, you must find a motive for murder. What motive would Dr. Thorne have for killing Brace Brainard?”
The detective flushed. “What motive would Vera Deane have for planting counterfeit money?” he growled. “Don’t go too slow, Anthony, or your counterfeiter will escape.”
“I’m not worrying.” Anthony smiled provokingly as he reached for his hat. “Chief Connor has sent a dozen men over here. He believes in following a hot trail, and I reckon we’ll get ‘Gentleman Charlie.’ See you shortly.” And he left Mitchell sitting by the fire.
CHAPTER XIX
THE FIRST SHOT
MURRAY gave Mrs. Porter’s message to the chauffeur, and then took the vacant seat in the roadster.
“Just drop me at the house,” he directed as the car left the garage. “And, remember, Jones, Mrs. Porter says you must bring out a new nurse from the hospital; that you are not to return without one. Here’s the letter to the Washington doctor.”
“Whose place is the new nurse to take?” inquired the chauffeur, slipping the note in his pocket. “Miss Deane’s or Mrs. Hall’s?”