In all human probability the secrets possessed by this unfortunate creature had cost her life.
He kneeled beside the body and made a hurried examination of her clothes, Slattery talking volubly as he did so, and, professing his entire innocence of any knowledge of the affair.
But the search was fruitless.
Save for a few cheap personal belongings, there was nothing found upon the woman of any interest at all.
He had scarce completed his work, before the sound of many footsteps was heard upon the stairs, and a motley crowd pressed their way into the room.
Men from the market, men from the street.
Butchers, fishmongers, and housewives with their baskets, on their way to purchase their morning supplies.
Close behind them came a policeman, who elbowed his way through the crowd.
Into the hands of this man the detective resigned the case, informing him of his own identity and of the facts connected with the discovery of the body.
"I'll go around to the Oak street station at once, officer," he added in a whisper, "and send you help. Meanwhile, keep an eye on that man Slattery, if you want my advice. Better keep him in here with you—I'll send these people away.