perhaps John killed him, or even if he did not, that, nevertheless, he
could use circumstances to extract money from the youngster, who, even
if innocent, would fear the trial and notoriety that would follow if
Enright publicly disclosed the existence of that will.

"John Cavendish may be innocent, or he may be guilty, but one thing is
certain--he's being badgered to death by two people, from what little
we know. One of them is the La Rue woman; the other is Enright.

"Now I wonder--Mr. Farriss, doesn't it occur to you that they may be
working together like the woman and the man in the Skittles case last
year? You remember then they got a youngster in their power and nearly
trimmed him down to his eye-teeth!"

Farriss sat reflecting deeply, chewing the stem of his dead pipe.

"There's something going on--that's as plain as a red banner-head.
You've got a peach of a start, so far, and done good pussyfooting--you,
too, Stella--but there's one thing that conflicts with your
hypothesis----"

The two leaned forward.

"Valois's statement that he was almost positive that the dead man was
not Cavendish," the city editor snapped.

"I now believe Valois is mistaken, in view of developments," said
Willis with finality. "So does Stella--Miss Donovan, I mean. Remember
the body was charred across the face and chest--and Valois was excited."