tests which he was arranging were not to be held at the hospital
at all, but in his laboratory, the scene of so many of his
scientific triumphs over the cleverest of criminals.

While he and Dr. Barren were still fussing with the machine he
despatched me on the rather ticklish errand of gathering together
all those who had been at the Novella at the time and might
possibly prove important in the case.

My first visit was to Hugh Dayton, whom I found in his bachelor
apartment on Madison Avenue, apparently waiting for me. One of
O'Connor's men had already warned him that any attempt to evade
putting in an appearance when he was wanted would be of no avail.
He had been shadowed from the moment that it was learned that he
was a patient of Millefleur's and had been at the Novella that
fatal afternoon. He seemed to realise that escape was impossible.
Dayton was one of those typical young fellows, tall, with sloping
shoulders and a carefully acquired English manner, whom one sees
in scores on Fifth Avenue late in the afternoon. His face, which
on the stage was forceful and attractive, was not prepossessing at
close range. Indeed it showed too evident marks of excesses, both
physical and moral, and his hand was none too steady. Still, he
was an interesting personality, if not engaging.

I was also charged with delivering a note to Burke Collins at his
office. The purport of it was, I knew, a request couched in
language that veiled a summons that Mrs. Collins was of great
importance in getting at the truth, and that if he needed an
excuse himself for being present it was suggested that he appear
as protecting his wife's interests as a lawyer. Kennedy had added