“You don’t think, then, that a search would show one in his desk?”
“I would be willing to stake my life on it. I am so sure in the matter because one night not long since I wanted to do a little writing at his direction, and asked him if he had a steel pen, as I could not make out very well with his quills.”
“He said he did not have any?”
“Precisely. He said further that he had not had one in his possession in over ten years.”
The detective then quietly said:
“That puts me in possession of a good point.”
“How so?”
“I am not prepared to say just now. As to this young lady, you appear to know her?”
“I do.”
“You know where she lives so that she may be found in case she is wanted at any time?”