Part 16 (1/2)

”On. the contrary,” said Morgan, ”it would be taking no chance at all. That man has been wanted for a year for putting over a confidence game. I won't mention any names because lips sometimes tell stories to watchful eyes. You just sit here and you'll see something in a few minutes.” With that, Morgan went out.

A few minutes later a man strolled through the lobby and approached the stranger. He leaned over and whispered to him and the two went out together. Marsh was congratulating himself that when this man got to Headquarters he might be made to talk to some effect, when Morgan and another man, whom Marsh easily recognized as a detective, approached.

”Where in blazes did your man go?” exclaimed Morgan.

Marsh stared for a moment. ”Why I thought your man got him,” he said. ”Somebody came in and quietly took him out.”

”Good-night!” exclaimed Morgan. ”Somebody must have tipped him off.”

He turned to the man with him. ”No use hanging around now. Our bird's flown.”

As the man left them Morgan sat down again beside Marsh. ”How the deuce did you know I was here?” he asked.

”I didn't,” returned Marsh. ”I had that bell boy page you to test the man across from me. I never had such a surprise in my life as when you turned up. What were you doing here?” he added.

”The Chief asked me to look into this Merton case. What were YOU doing here?”

”The same thing,” replied Marsh.

”Looking up Merton?”

”Yes.”

”Well, that's funny. What for?”

”Because I strongly suspect he is the murdered man in our case.”

Morgan gasped.

CHAPTER XIV

THE NIGHT CALL

As Morgan recovered from his astonishment, Marsh antic.i.p.ated some leading questions. He headed these off at this time, by saying, ”In this case, conditions seem to be somewhat reversed; for up to this time we have found practically no one who could be put under surveillance, yet we have every evidence that we are being carefully watched by others. Several incidents have occurred, including the present little drama which convinces us of that fact. There is no question that we should again compare notes as soon as possible, but this is a dangerous place to discuss the case. I came here to question certain people. As they will not be on duty until later there is nothing I can do along that line for a little while. In the meantime, we ought to look over Merton's rooms upstairs. I could not make an attempt to do this, because I do not possess the proper authority without explaining my real connections. You, however, as a city detective engaged on the case, will have no difficulty in making arrangements to inspect his room.”

”That is just what I dropped in to do,” replied Morgan.

”Then go ahead and make your arrangements,” said Marsh, ”and when you are ready, let me go up with you. If we meet anyone, remember that I am working under the special authorization of Mr. Hunt, and you and I have just become acquainted.”

Morgan went to the hotel office. In a few minutes he returned with a bell boy and nodded to Marsh. Guided by the bell boy, they took an elevator and ascended to Merton's rooms, which they found consisted of a sitting room, bedroom and bath. Obeying instructions, the bell boy at once retired and closed the door after him.

They first inspected the bedroom, giving special attention to the dresser. This contained nothing save the usual supply of clothing, which served no other purpose than to indicate the wealth and conservative taste of the owner. Marsh particularly sought some jewelry that might help to identify the cuff b.u.t.ton as the property of the lost man. He found nothing, however, and considered it probable that whatever jewelry Merton owned was on his person.

From the bedroom the two men went to the sitting room, which they hoped would hold greater possibilities, for a desk stood in one corner near a window. A framed photograph of Merton's wife and son, standing on top of the desk, of course had no significance. They then began a search of the drawers and the interior of the desk.

”Probably you have noticed,” said Marsh, after a moment, ”the disordered condition of this desk.”

”Now that you speak of it,” agreed Morgan, ”I think it is pretty well mussed up.”

”I should say,” commented Marsh, ”that either Merton is very careless, or else we are not the first people to examine this desk.”