"Well, we only arrived at six this morning, but I may say yes, I have found some corroborative evidence."
"I have the shroud in which Rufus Quadrant was dressed in his coffin."
"That is important. Where did you find it?"
"In quite a suggestive place. It was locked up in old Berial's private closet at the shop, which we searched this morning."
"That certainly is significant. But even so, Tom, how do we know that this Morgan, who robs the dead and has duplicate screw-drivers for opening patented coffin fastenings, would hesitate to place a shroud where it would seem to substantiate his accusation of another?"
"We do not know positively, of course. We have not fully solved this mystery yet, Mr. Barnes."
"I fear not, Tom," said Mr. Barnes, glancing at the clock as he heard a voice asking for him in the adjoining office; "but here comes a man who claims that he has done so."
Mr. Mitchel entered and saluted the two men cordially, after receiving an introduction to the younger.
"Well, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, "shall I surprise you with my story, or have you two gentlemen worked it all out?"