"Come, then, let us be off at once," and a moment later the three detectives left the house.
[CHAPTER II.]
OLD SPICER VISITS THE SCENE OF THE MURDER.
The conversation related in the preceding chapter had occurred in the back parlor of Old Spicer's residence in Home Place.
The great detective, who had now owned and occupied this house for some time, had fitted it up to suit his own fancy and convenience.
He resided there alone—that is, so far as family was concerned, for Mrs. Hettie Catlin, the widow of Frederic Catlin, was still his housekeeper, and they kept one servant-of-all-work, a middle-aged woman, upon whom the detective could thoroughly rely.
The back parlor looked out upon a small garden, and this room Old Spicer had chosen for his sanctum sanctorum, and furnished it accordingly.
It would have been a feast, even for the great Lecoq, to have been able to pay a visit to this retreat. The wonders and trophies it contained were legion, and furnished a history in epitome of all the cases Old Spicer had ever had a hand in.
Naturally the old man loved this room, and spent as much of his time in it as possible.