himself appears to be new in the office, he may be more anxious to get
his work over with than the usual official. In the mean time we'd
better go down and have a talk with Osborne. If I remain here I'll
succumb to temptation, go rummaging about and so get myself into
trouble."

He turned the knob of the door with the ground glass panel; but it
was fast. They passed into the store room, and so out into the hall.

"Any signs of the people from the coroner's office?" asked Ashton-Kirk
of the policeman who stood there.

"Someone just drove up a minute ago," answered the man. "I hear him
down there talking to Osborne now."

Ashton-Kirk was about to go down when there came a tramping on the
stairs. The big figure of the headquarters detective was first; after
him came a nervous, important looking young man and a stolid-faced old
one.

With a large gesture Osborne laid his hand upon Ashton-Kirk's
shoulder.

"Mr. Stillman," said he to the nervous looking young man, "this is Mr.
Ashton-Kirk. I guess you've heard of him."

The important manner of the young coroner visibly increased as he held
out his hand.

"I have heard of you frequently, sir," he stated, firmly, "and I am