remarked, picking up the bloody knife and looking about at the
stains, comparatively few of which could have come from the one
deep fatal wound in the head of the victim.

Kennedy was still engrossed in a study of the stains, evidently
considering that their size, shape, and location might throw some
light on what had occurred. "Walter," he said finally, "while I'm
busy here, I wish you would find that valet, Edward. I want to
talk to him."

I found him at last, a clean-cut young fellow of much above
average intelligence.

"There are some things I have not yet got clearly, Edward," began
Kennedy. "Now where was the body, exactly, when you opened the
door?"

Edward pointed out the exact spot, near the side of the kitchen
toward the door leading out to the breakfast room and opposite the
ice-box.

"And the door to the side street?" asked Kennedy, to all
appearances very favorably impressed by the young man.

"It was locked, sir," he answered positively.

Kennedy was quite apparently considering the honesty and
faithfulness of the servant. At last he leaned over and asked
quickly, "Can I trust you?"