“It’s up to us to find the right man, however, and now a word about your report,” Nick added. “From what little the telephone girl heard, it is very evident that Todd was called to the Waldmere Chambers and directed to wait in the corridor either by the man who killed him or by a man in league with or acting under the instructions of the assassin. In other words, Todd was lured there only to be murdered.”
“Plainly enough,” Chick agreed. “We can safely bank on that.”
“We know, too, that Paulding then was in the building to confer with a client,” Carter continued. “Being convinced of his innocence, I know it was not he who telephoned to Todd.”
“Surely not.”
“The fact that he was there, however, is very significant.”
“Of what, chief?” questioned Patsy.
“He may have been seen by some person anxious to kill Todd and who, knowing their unfriendly relations, and that Paulding would presently leave, took advantage of the situation to lure Todd there, taking a chance that he could kill him unobserved by others immediately after Paulding departed, believing that the latter then would be suspected.”
“That’s plausible,” Chick nodded.
“And that’s why Todd was directed to wait in the corridor,” Carter pointed out. “The assassin wanted him to be there when Paulding left the building. The fact that he was not seen by Paulding, however, and that he could confidently plan such a crime, as well as commit it, without being seen or heard, shows that he must have had several advantages. He may be a tenant in the building. It would not be easy or discreet for an outsider to have undertaken it.”
“That’s true, by Jove, and quite suggestive.”