There we found Miles in waiting. We told him of the date fixed for the next trial, and Littell added that it might afford him opportunity to secure some additional evidence.
"Of what kind?" the detective asked.
"Any kind," he replied, "that will throw doubt upon the State's case."
"Why not hunt for the real criminal?" Miles inquired.
"Do you think you can find him?" Littell asked.
"I can try," was the reply.
"Well," Littell said, "I am going away and will not return for a time, so you and Dallas can have a free hand in the meantime to follow your own course, but for myself I don't think you will accomplish much on that line."
The detective made no answer, and I inquired of Littell when he thought of going and learning it would probably be the next day, suggested he dine with me at the club that evening, and added, as the idea occurred to me: "I will ask Davis and Van Bult too. We would all like to see something of you before you go."
He accepted the invitation, and as he prepared to leave us looked towards Miles, but the latter had his back to us, and was absently turning over the pages of a book on the table.
After Littell was gone, I waited for Miles to make known the business that had brought him, but he remained absorbed in a brown study.