Part 11 (1/2)

”Well, you seemed the most likely person to have information, being right on the same floor,” Marsh said, smiling.

There could be no question that this was a natural explanation, and the girl seemed satisfied. With a nod and a smile to Morgan and the photographer, she allowed Marsh to a.s.sist her out of the door and up the stairs to her apartment. Tierney rose from the step where he had been sitting, to let her pa.s.s, and she favored him with one of her pretty smiles as he did so. Tierney then climbed after them to the next landing and stood watching. Marsh waited until the door closed after her. Then, with a catch in his breath that sounded suspiciously like a sigh, he went back to his apartment. Tierney gave him a peculiar look as he pa.s.sed.

The photographer had gone, but Morgan held out the copy which he had made of the letter as soon as Marsh entered, with the remark, ”Now, what's the game?”

Marsh took it and read:

My dear Daughter:

I have returned from the last trip I shall ever make. I have never told you, not wis.h.i.+ng to cause you worry, but my health has been gradually failing for many years.

I can no longer attend to my duties on the road and have had to give up my position. The doctor gives me but a few months to live, so rather than be a burden to you I have decided to end the thing at once. When this letter reaches you, the Mississippi will be carrying my body to the sea, where I hope that it will be lost to the world forever.

Knowing that my time was approaching, I long ago arranged for your future. If you will identify yourself to the National Trust Company, Chicago, you will find that you have been amply provided for. As we do not lease the apartment direct from the owner, you had better move out at once and go to an hotel. No one can hold you responsible.

Good luck and success in your music. G.o.d bless you, and good-bye.

Your devoted father.

”What's the game?” repeated Morgan, when he saw that Marsh had finished reading the letter.

”A convenient disappearance, that is all,” returned Marsh. ”Things were beginning to get too hot for him. No doubt he thought you were getting closer than you really were. Poor girl,” he added. ”She will take it as gospel truth, and we dare not tell her otherwise--not now, anyway.”

”One thing is certain in my mind now,” a.s.serted Morgan. ”There was a murder upstairs. They planned to put some person who was becoming a menace, quietly out of the way. But you spoiled it!”

”No, I did not spoil it,” said Marsh. ”The shot did that. I have felt for some time that that shot was a mistake--a slipup somewhere.”

”I've got to go; it is two o'clock,” exclaimed Morgan as he looked at his watch. ”Where shall we hold future conferences! I do not want to be seen coming here too often. It might lead to suspicions of you, and I think we can accomplish more if your connection with the case is not made clear.”

”How about your house?” inquired Marsh. ”Knowing that you are now suspicious, and with Tierney on the doorstep, they will probably keep away from there in the future.”

”Well, let it stand at that for the present,” agreed Morgan.

”Telephone me when you want to come. My number is in the telephone book.”

With that the two men's hands met in a strong grip as if to seal their future partners.h.i.+p. Morgan opened the door and then started back with a cry.

Tierney lay stretched out across the landing, apparently asleep.

But Morgan knew the man better.

CHAPTER X

THE STOLEN SUITCASE

The placing of Tierney on guard in the hall had been an impulsive act on Morgan's part. It was more to put an idea into immediate execution than to actually have a protecting outpost at this time, for the very nature of his experience would have told Morgan that after the mysterious attack upon Jane Atwood there would be little possibility of a similar occurrence the same day. The instant he saw Tierney lying in the hall, however, he realized that the man had been the victim of a somewhat similar attack, and the mere thought that such a thing was possible stunned him into inaction for a moment. The next minute both he and Marsh were kneeling at Tierney's side and endeavoring to arouse him.

Morgan removed Tierney's cap and pa.s.sed his hand around over the man's head until he found a slight lump, a little back of the right ear.

”Knocked out with a black-jack!” he cried. ”How could a man get that close to Tierney without being heard!”