the second page by a lot of stale sensation that everyone has
read for the fiftieth time, now, you will find what promises to
be a real sensation, a curious half-column account of the sudden
death of John G. Fletcher."

I laughed. "Craig," I said, "when you put up a simple death from
apoplexy against a murder trial, and such a murder trial; well,
you disappoint me--that's all."

"Is it a simple case of apoplexy?" he asked, pacing up and down
the room, while I wondered why he should grow excited over what
seemed a very ordinary news item, after all. Then he picked up
the paper and read the account slowly aloud.


JOHN G. FLETCHER, STEEL MAGNATE, DIES SUDDENLY

SAFE OPEN BUT LARGE SUM OF CASH UNTOUCHED

John Graham Fletcher, the aged philanthropist and steelmaker, was
found dead in his library this morning at his home at
Fletcherwood, Great Neck, Long Island. Strangely, the safe in the
library in which he kept his papers and a large sum of cash was
found opened, but as far as could be learned nothing is missing.

It had always been Mr. Fletcher's custom to rise at seven
o'clock. This morning his housekeeper became alarmed when he had
not appeared by nine o'clock. Listening at the door, she heard no
sound. It was not locked, and on entering she found the former
steel-magnate lying lifeless on the floor between his bedroom and