"And he doesn't think so now?"
"No-o. That is: he thinks circumstances make an investigation worth while. You see, just a few minutes ago Barker went to the Lawrence home again. This time he was there four minutes."
"Does Cartwright know who was at home at that time?"
"He thinks so. He says a maid let Barker in and that apparently Mrs. Lawrence let him out. A young girl—whom Cartwright believes to be Mrs. Lawrence's sister—drove up just as Barker was leaving. She was in the car with some man—but he didn't get out. Then, just a minute ago, Gerald Lawrence reached home. So the idea is that Mrs. Lawrence was alone with the servants when Barker called."
"And yet he only remained four minutes?"
"That's what Cartwright 'phoned." Leverage paused. "What do you make of it, Carroll?"
"Off-hand," answered the youthful-appearing detective, "I'd say that
Barker had called to see Mr. Lawrence."
"Why?"
"We'll suppose Lawrence was home on the occasion of Barker's first visit—do you know whether he was?"
"No. I asked. Cartwright doesn't know. Couldn't stay, you know—because he was under orders to follow Barker. Tonight he sent Reed after Barker and he watched the Lawrence house."