"Thanks," Kirby nodded.

"Let's investigate this man Hull. What Kirby says fits in with what
you saw a couple of evenings ago, Jack. I'm assuming he's the same man
Uncle flung downstairs. Uncle told you he was a black-mailer.
_There's_ one lead. Let's follow it."

Reluctantly Kirby broached one angle of the subject that must be faced.
"What about this girl in Uncle's office--the one in trouble? Are we
goin' to bring her into this?"

There was a moment's silence. Jack's black eyes slid from Lane to his
brother. It struck Kirby that he was waiting tensely for the decision
of James, though the reason for his anxiety was not apparent.

James gave the matter consideration, then spoke judicially. "Better
leave her out of it. No need to smirch Uncle's reputation unless it's
absolutely necessary. We don't want the newspapers gloating over any
more scandals than they need."

The cattleman breathed freer. He had an odd feeling that Jack, too,
was relieved. Had the young man, after all, a warmer feeling for his
dead uncle's reputation than he had given him credit for?

As the three cousins stepped out of the Equitable Building to Stout
Street a newsboy was calling an extra.

"A-l-l 'bout Cunn'n'ham myst'ry. Huxtry! Huxtry!"

Kirby bought a paper. A streamer headline in red flashed at him.