VI

INTEGRITY


Mr. Gryce's fears were only too well founded. Though Mr. McElroy
was kind enough to point out the exact spot where he saw Miss Watkins
stoop, no trace of blood was found upon the rug which had lain there,
nor had anything of the kind been washed up by the very careful man
who scrubbed the lobby floor in the early morning. This was
disappointing, as its presence would have settled the whole question.
When, these efforts all exhausted, the two detectives faced each
other again in the small room given up to their use, Mr. Gryce showed
his discouragement. To be certain of a fact you cannot prove has not
the same alluring quality for the old that it has for the young.
Sweetwater watched him in some concern, then with the persistence
which was one of his strong points, ventured finally to remark:

"I have but one idea left on the subject."

"And what is that?" Old as he was, Mr. Gryce was alert in a moment.

"The girl wore a red cloak. If I mistake not, the lining was also
red. A spot on it might not show to the casual observer. Yet it
would mean much to us."

"Sweetwater!"

A faint blush rose to the old man's cheek.