retired from active business, giving as a reason his failing
health. But neither of us had thought, when the hasty summons came
early that morning to visit him immediately at his house, that his
condition was as serious as it now appeared.

"In the kitchen?" repeated Kennedy, evidently not prepared for any
trouble in that part of the house.

Pitts, who had closed his eyes, now reopened them slowly and I
noticed how contracted were the pupils.

"Yes," he answered somewhat wearily, "my private kitchen which I
have had fitted up. You know, I am on a diet, have been ever since
I offered the one hundred thousand dollars for the sure
restoration of youth. I shall have you taken out there presently."

He lapsed again into a half dreamy state, his head bowed on one
hand resting on the arm of his chair. The morning's mail still lay
on the table, some letters open, as they had been when the
discovery had been announced. Mrs. Pitts was apparently much
excited and unnerved by the gruesome discovery in the house,

"You have no idea who the murderer might be?" asked Kennedy,
addressing Pitts, but glancing keenly at his wife.

"No," replied Pitts, "if I had I should have called the regular
police. I wanted you to take it up before they spoiled any of the
clues. In the first place we do not think it could have been done
by any of the other servants. At least, Minna says that there was
no quarrel."