"And that is the way I have worked out this problem."
"Tell me the details," said Hunt.
"While you reported to the police that Mr. Merton had been missing for ten days, I discovered by inquiries at his hotel that he was in his room as late as last Monday night. In fact, he was seen to leave the hotel at midnight."
"So I have heard," Hunt broke in hastily. "At the time I notified the police I had not seen Mr. Merton at the office for about ten days."
Marsh nodded, and inquired, "I suppose you follow the papers carefully every day?"
"Naturally," was the reply.
"Then," said Marsh, "you probably read about the murder on Sheridan Road last Tuesday morning—the Sheridan Road Mystery, the papers called it."
"Yes, I read about that affair."
"Didn't it make you think?" asked Marsh.
"I don't understand."