"I am not quite sure; but I think they turned into Howe."
"I have heard something of this story before," said the chief, aside to Old Spicer.
"It may be worth while looking those fellows up," returned the old detective.
"I think so."
"What was it you had heard before?"
"Why, one of the women in the house here peered from her front window down on the sidewalk, somewhere about midnight, she thinks, and saw three suspicious-looking characters talking in subdued tones, near the steps leading to the saloon below."
"Ah, I see; and joining our young friend's story of the three men dashing toward Howe Street at one o'clock, or through Oak Street, as you think, with the woman's story of the whispering trio on the sidewalk, you think there may be a clew that will lead to important revelations?"
"It seems so to me—— Well, what is it, Woodford?"
"I've just found this handkerchief, sir," and Officer Woodford handed a very fine embroidered handkerchief to the chief.
"Where did you find it?" asked Bollmann, curiously, as he carefully examined the delicate piece of cambric.