“Certainly not. It’s Greek to me.”
“Have you never seen it before?”
“No, never.”
“Do you recognize the writing?”
“I do not. I haven’t the slightest idea who wrote it. Why is the signature missing?”
“Because I could not find the fragment containing it where I found the others,” said Nick. “I happen to know, however, who wrote the letter.”
“Who?”
“A girl named Lottie Trent.”
“Lottie Trent—oh, by thunder!” Garland’s frown vanished as quick as a flash. “By Jove this may help to clear up a mystery, Mr. Parsons. Lottie Trent is missing and cannot be found. I have just talked with her employer. He——”
“So have I,” Nick interrupted. “He told me that you have frequently been seen talking with the girl. Talking with her so earnestly that——”