Fleming Stone left the place before I did, nodding a good-by as
he passed me, and a moment after, my own foot-gear being in
proper condition, I, too, went out, and went straight to my
office.

As I walked the short distance, my mind dwelt on Stone's
quick-witted work. Again I wished that I possessed the kind of
intelligence that makes that sort of thing so easy. Although
unusual, it is, after all, a trait of many minds, though often,
perhaps, unrecognized and undeveloped by its owner. I dare say
it lies dormant in men who have never had occasion to realize its
value. Indeed, it is of no continuous value to anyone but a
detective, and nine detectives out of ten do not possess it.

So I walked along, envying my friend Stone his gift, and reached
my office just at ten o'clock as was my almost invariable habit.

"Hurry up, Mr. Burroughs!" cried my office-boy, as I opened the
door. "You're wanted on the telephone."

Though a respectful and well-mannered boy, some excitement had
made him a trifle unceremonious, and I looked at him curiously as
I took up the receiver.

But with the first words I heard, the office-boy was forgotten,
and my own nerves received a shock as I listened to the message.
It was from the Detective Bureau with which I was connected, and
the superintendent himself was directing me to go at once to West
Sedgwick, where a terrible crime had just been discovered.